N E W S B Y T E S
Agriculture Ministry developing a National Pest Surveillance System
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare , Government of India , is leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) technologies for the benefit of farmers and to increase overall productivity . As a pioneering force in the integration of AI , the Ministry is setting a precedent for leveraging advanced technologies to address the challenges faced by the farmers in India . It is championing the India Digital Ecosystem Architecture ( InDEA ) 2.0 ’ s network approach , designed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT , Government of India .
A significant milestone in this journey is the development of ‘ Kisan e-Mitra ,’ an AI-powered chatbot addressing farmers ’ queries about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme . This comprehensive solution , available in Hindi , Tamil , Odia , Bangla , and English , is evolving to support other government programs and has been accessed by more than 21 lakh farmers within 2 months . Additionally , the Ministry is developing a National Pest Surveillance System in collaboration with the private sector . AI and Machine Learning ( ML ) models detect crop issues , offering timely information to farmers for swift action .
FMC India conducts beekeeping training program to educate women farmers
FMC India , an agricultural sciences company , has successfully completed its final training program in Sitarganj , in collaboration with the prestigious G . B . Pant University of Agriculture & Technology ( GBPUAT ). The initiative is a part of FMC ’ s flagship project Madhu Shakti that aims to develop entrepreneurship among rural women through beekeeping .
Organized at the GBPUAT ’ s campus in Pant Nagar , Uttarakhand the weeklong training program was attended by more than 40 participants , including a select group of 38 women farmers from various villages of Uttarakhand . Featuring a well-structured curriculum comprising theoretical sessions on beekeeping fundamentals , interactive workshops , and hands-on practical activities . Participants were trained about the intricate process of honeybee pollination and its profound impact on crop yields and quality .
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BioVoiceNews | March / April 2024