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Agriculture

AI-Powered Sugarcane Farming Revolutionizes Rural Livelihood in India

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

In a major push to transform the sugarcane industry, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has launched a comprehensive AI and machine learning (ML) technology-based National AI-ML Network Program in collaboration with the Agriculture Development Trust (ADT) and Map My Crop (MMC). This pioneering initiative aims to enhance sugarcane productivity, crop quality, and farmers' incomes in top sugar-producing states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The program will benefit over 50 lakh sugarcane growers' families and cover around 30 lakh hectares of sugarcane cultivation area.

Key Takeaways:

  • ISMA has coordinated with over 30 sugar mills in UP, 20 in Maharashtra, and 10 in Karnataka to disseminate the advanced AI-ML technology among farmers.
  • The program targets to enhance sugarcane productivity by at least 100 quintals per hectare and sugar recovery rate of 11% or more.
  • Through ADT's collaboration with Oxford University and Microsoft, a previous project showed a 40% increase in crop yield, 35% reduction in labour costs, and 30% savings in water usage.
  • The program will utilize location-specific precision farming modules, satellite-based soil health and fertility mapping, real-time pest and disease alerts, and IoT-enabled precision irrigation for water efficiency.
  • Variable rate application (VRA) will be implemented to optimize fertilizer use and reduce input costs and carbon footprint.
  • Field demonstrations and capacity-building sessions are planned to promote rapid adoption of the program.
  • ISMA has partnered with ICAR's sugarcane research institutes to promote high-yielding varieties and efficient farm practices.

Statistics:

  • Over 50 lakh sugarcane growers' families will benefit from the program.
  • Around 30 lakh hectares of sugarcane cultivation area will be covered through the program.
  • Target to enhance sugarcane productivity by at least 100 quintals per hectare.
  • Target to achieve sugar recovery rate of 11% or more.
  • Previous project showed a 40% increase in crop yield.
  • 35% reduction in labour costs achieved in the previous project.
  • 30% savings in water usage achieved in the previous project.
  • Over 1,000 farmers across three major sugar-producing states were empowered with AI-driven solutions in a previous project.

Sources:

  • Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA)
  • Agriculture Development Trust (ADT)
  • Map My Crop (MMC)
  • Times of India (TOI)
  • Indian Council of Agriculture Research's (ICAR) sugarcane research institutes

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