Why in news?
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‑Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched a pilot AI‑based agro‑meteorological advisory service in July 2025. The system aims to provide farmers with personalised, real‑time weather and crop advice to help them cope with climate variability.
Background and need
Most Indian farmers rely on monsoon rains and lack access to timely weather forecasts. Climate change has made rainfall patterns erratic, increasing the risk of crop failure. Traditional agro‑advisories are often generic and do not consider local conditions. Advances in artificial intelligence and mobile connectivity provide an opportunity to tailor advisories to individual farmers.
Key features of the advisory
- The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning models to analyse weather data, soil conditions, crop stages and farmers’ socio‑economic profiles.
- A WhatsApp bot delivers personalised messages in regional languages, making the service accessible even to those with limited literacy.
- It integrates data from the India Meteorological Department, satellites and ground sensors to generate hyper‑local forecasts and suggestions on sowing dates, irrigation, fertiliser application and pest management.
- Multiple channels such as interactive voice response systems (IVRS), mobile apps and village resource centres ensure that farmers without smartphones can also benefit.
- The pilot project is being tested in Maharashtra and will be scaled up across India if successful.
Significance
- By reducing the uncertainty associated with weather, the advisory can improve crop yields and incomes for small and marginal farmers.
- The service bridges the last‑mile gap between scientific weather data and farmer decision‑making.
- It supports climate‑resilient agriculture, which is critical as heatwaves, droughts and floods become more frequent.
Conclusion
Leveraging artificial intelligence for agro‑meteorological advisories is a promising step toward smart farming. With careful implementation and user training, such services can empower farmers to make informed decisions and adapt to a changing climate.