Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo underscores a strategic pivot in Odisha’s agricultural policy toward a data-driven ecosystem. Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav was present in the meeting.
By integrating Artificial Intelligence into the primary sector, the state aims to transition from traditional farming methods to precision agriculture.
This shift is designed to mitigate the inherent risks of farming, such as unpredictable weather patterns and pest outbreaks, by providing actionable insights before they impact yield.
The budgetary commitment is a critical component of this roadmap. A 12.3 percent increase in funding for agriculture and allied sectors provides the necessary fiscal space to implement high-tech initiatives. This financial backing suggests that the government views technology not as an optional luxury, but as a fundamental tool for economic mobility among the rural population.
The focus on maximizing profits through advance information indicates a move toward market-oriented production, where farmers can make informed decisions about what to plant and when to harvest based on predictive analytics.
Technological integration is already manifesting through specific tools like the Krishivaas application and satellite-based digital crop surveys. These innovations address three core challenges:
Real-time Monitoring: Smartphone apps allow for constant oversight of crop health, reducing the need for manual inspections that are often reactive rather than proactive.
Risk Mitigation: Disease prediction and temperature control modules serve as early warning systems. By identifying potential threats in their infancy, farmers can apply targeted interventions, which reduces the cost of inputs like pesticides and fertilizers.
Data Accuracy: Satellite surveys provide a macro-level view of agricultural output. This data is invaluable for the government in planning logistics, subsidies, and insurance payouts, ensuring that resources are distributed based on verified digital evidence rather than estimates.
The presence of high-level officials including Director Shri Shubham Saxena during these demonstrations signifies a top-down mandate for digital transformation. By fostering a collaborative environment between tech innovators and policymakers, Odisha is positioning itself as a leader in the AgTech space. The ultimate success of this initiative will depend on the digital literacy of the farming community and the accessibility of these high-tech tools at the grassroots level.