JAMMU: The government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved an ambitious Rs. 30.40 crore project “Sensor based Smart Agriculture” envisaging integration of agriculture with technology driven by Artificial Insemination and IoT for automation of practices, enhanced resource use efficiency and profitability.

This project, which is aimed at to establish a ‘sensor-based smart agriculture ecosystem’ would prove to be a game changer for agri-economy of the region. The integration of agriculture with technology driven by AI and IoT will make agriculture alluring, professional and competitive.

The project would enable use of Hi-tech poly houses for cultivation of cash crops around the year with the application of IoT and automation for monitoring microclimatic parameters of plants. The green house technology will result in increased yields and make possible off season availability of vegetables as early production or late availability as compared to open field conditions.

The world’s population is growing at an unprecedented rate, and as a result, food production must keep pace with this expansion. This has put immense pressure on the agricultural industry to increase productivity and output. Agriculture, which contributes over 17 per cent to India’s GDP, employs over 54 per cent of the country’s population. In Jammu and Kashmir, over 70 per cent of the economy is based on agriculture, making it an important area for improving livelihoods through adoption of digital agriculture for increasing input use efficiency, production, productivity, and profitability.

The project is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors in UT of J&K.

Digital transformation in agriculture is one of the potential areas to mitigate the challenge of increasing output by 60 per cent by 2040 to match the ever-growing population.

Additionally, there is a need for extensive training and education for farmers to enable them to understand the technology and use it to maximize yields and profits. The adoption of digital technologies can help farmers make data-driven decisions and improve their farming practices. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has proposed the launch of certificate and diploma courses in AI &ML, IoT, and automation, and Block chain technology to train skilled manpower for the new skill sets required in the industry.

KR Desk