Innovators Turn to AI and ML to Transform Agriculture

Hyderabad: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions for agriculture have emerged as a key focus at the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, with young innovators presenting groundbreaking ideas to revolutionise farming.

Teams at the grand finale, hosted at Vardhaman College of Engineering in Shamshabad, are tackling real-world challenges with technology-driven solutions that aim to uplift India’s agricultural sector, plagued by inefficiencies, pest issues, and exploitative middlemen.

Team Visionaries United from BMS Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, showcased their Keisha Arogya prototype, a mobile and web-based platform designed to enhance crop health and management. “Farmers, especially small-scale ones, often see profits in only three out of ten years due to pest infestations and uncertain yields,” explained team leader Devanshi Sharma.

She highlighted that the platform uses AI and ML to identify potential diseases, analyse crop conditions, and offer customised management solutions, including fertiliser recommendations tailored to both organic and inorganic farming.

Devanshi further added, “Earlier tools often lacked user-friendliness, which discouraged adoption among small-scale farmers. We wanted to change that by making the app accessible, multilingual, and equipped with voice guidance for those who are not literate.”

Another standout solution was presented by VIT Chennai’s team led by Raazi Faisal. Their prototype focuses on streamlining the supply chain for farmers, eliminating the middlemen who often exploit farmers with unfair pricing.

“We want to ensure equal opportunities for all kinds of farmers,” said Faisal, elaborating that their ML-driven platform allows farmers to list their inventory, access orders directly, and secure payments without intermediaries.

“The platform uses real-time data to provide statistical insights on demand and supply, benefiting both farmers and retailers,” he said.

The Hackathon, organised by the education ministry’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE, has also brought attention to other critical issues through six problem statements identified by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including marine monitoring and data-driven environmental solutions. Participants are undergoing three rounds of evaluation, with mentoring sessions shaping their prototypes into actionable solutions.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the event, commending the collaborative efforts of academia, industry, and government in nurturing young talent. “Innovation is not just about technology; it’s about using creativity to address the needs of our people,” he said.