The centre has launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to help farmers connect with agronomists and pest management experts. File | Image credit: AM Faruqui
The Union government on Thursday (August 15, 2024) launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) to help farmers connect with agronomists and pest control experts over the phone.
Launching the programme, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the aim of NPSS is to reduce farmers’ dependence on pesticide dealers and instill in them a scientific approach to pest control. NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management.
Speaking at the launch event of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Mr. Chouhan said the centre was working to bring new technological innovations in agriculture to the attention of farmers. “All new developments in the field of agriculture should benefit farmers,” he said, adding that increasing yields was a priority for the Narendra Modi government. “Farmers need better seeds to increase their productivity. Our scientific community is working with farmers on this,” he said.
The minister said technology must reach the fields and NPSS is one such measure. “If we detect the pest infestation immediately and at the onset, it will help in curing it. This system will help in identifying and controlling the pests. The benefit of technology must reach the farmers,” he said, adding that the ministry would strive to strengthen the link between scientists and farmers.
The ministry said that NPSS will help about 140 million farmers in the country. The centre plans to connect scientists to the fields through the platform. Farmers can take photos of the affected crops or the insects through the NPSS platform, which will then be sent to scientists and experts, it said.
“The challenge is to use the right amount of the right pesticide at the right time and this system will help farmers overcome this challenge,” said Union Agriculture Minister Devesh Chaturvedi. The HinduHe said it will help address the problem of excessive use of pesticides.
“This system will cure the diseases at the right time using technology. It will help in accurate diagnosis and treatment. This will boost the confidence of the farmers and production will also increase. It will also save the soil. It is a technological platform and does not require any additional funding,” he said.
Mr Chaturvedi said the technology would be sent to states, which could disseminate it through their awareness programmes. “We have successfully piloted this system and it has been approved after proper testing,” he said.
