Ropar, June 6: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has secured a grant of ₹311 crore from the Union Ministry of Education to establish a Centre of Excellence focused on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in agriculture, the institute announced Friday.
The ambitious project aims to develop AI-powered tools that can reach grassroots farming communities, enabling more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices across India.
“This initiative is about taking AI to the fields,” said Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar. “We want to empower farmers with cutting-edge technology for better farm management and long-term food security.”
The institute has already rolled out several AI-based solutions targeting animal husbandry, beekeeping, and crop management. One such innovation is the Digital Bee Sense technology, which monitors bee health using AI to enhance pollination and boost crop yields.
In livestock management, researchers have developed smart tags that track animal health and send real-time alerts to farmers’ mobile phones. Additionally, an AI tool for precision farming helps optimize nitrogen use in soil, improving both productivity and sustainability.
“These innovations represent major steps toward transforming Indian agriculture,” Ahuja noted. “We are committed to building a future where AI becomes a core element in farming systems.”
Among upcoming initiatives is an AI-driven crop yield prediction tool, which will combine satellite imagery, soil data, and weather patterns to offer district-level yield forecasts. The model is expected to assist farmers in planning harvests more effectively, potentially reducing post-harvest losses.
Another project under development is a crop classification system, which will identify and classify plant species in cultivated fields to enhance crop management. By enabling precise resource allocation, the system is expected to support both farmers and policymakers in making data-driven decisions.
The initiative aims to benefit over 50,000 farmers, with IIT Ropar positioned as a key technological partner in the push toward sustainable agriculture in India.
