Farm Robotics

How AI/ML are Promising for Agriculture Sector

They look like miniature flying toys but can distinguish weeds from crops, helping farmers make agriculture sustainable with less herbicide.

A report on Farm Robots by FT tells how rising labor costs make robots more economically viable.

The background

As labor costs in farming are increasing, scientists are developing farm robots that have AI to perform tasks like crop pollination and environmental monitoring.

In India, half of the population depends on agriculture. India faces issues like aging agricultural workers and a lack of enthusiasm for hard work on farms by youngsters. Due to these two factors, farm workers are increasingly harder to find. It is in this context, AI and ML give hope to sustain the farm sector.

How AI/ML helps in agriculture

·??????Robots can identify or respond to objects. Soft robotics can gently clasp and remove valuable products like peaches and raspberries from plants with the least damage using rubber cups or small bean bags.

·??????Machines can pick fruit and vegetables with accuracy and reliability.

·??????Research says AI/ML tools can reduce stake and input costs up to 40-60%.

·??????AI-powered apps can track data on pH levels, nutrient levels, and moisture levels enabling farmers to take informed decisions on fertilization thereby improving soil health.

·??????By collecting data on temperature, rainfall, and climate, AI can forecast future weather conditions.

·??????By comparing photos of crops during three years help in crop maturity observation.

·??????AI can also detect plant illnesses and pests with the help of deep learning-based picture recognition technology.

Key technologies involved

·??????AI/ML

·??????Analytics

·??????Blockchain

·??????IoT

As a result, AI/ML in farming creates thousands of opportunities in the above technologies. Agritech companies require mobile apps that competitively provide deeper insights with the help of analytics.

Possible impacts

In India, it can be the advanced phase of the Green Revolution that can turn around the farm sector, creating opportunities for wealth creation, careers, and jobs.

According to WEF, India has 1,000 plus agri-tech startups in India involved in including digital finance, micro-insurance, access to agricultural inputs, quality testing, traceability, and market connect platforms. Combining their strengths India has the scope of giving a fillip to the farm sector with the help of AI/ML and Robotics.

About SBase: SBase stands for creating millions of opportunities in the farm sector through AI/ML and Robotics.