IOI
Cotton crops grown in the state earned astronomical prices this Kharif season, ranging from Rs 8,800 to Rs 9,100 per quintal. It even fetched a record Rs 10,000 per quintal in some regions.
Few people are aware that the State Information Technology Department was instrumental in increasing cotton yields for farmers in several villages. In six districts, including Karimnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nalgonda, Khammam, Wanaparthy, and Mahabubabad, the department performed an Artificial Intelligence-based pilot project for pest management in cotton during Kharif 2021.
The department, in collaboration with the Wadhwani Institute of AI, deployed AI solutions at the field level as part of the project. Cotton producers from over 2,800 villages have been selected as potential participants in the programme. Cotton growers were able to detect pest assaults, particularly Pink Bollworm, early on and take corrective action to avoid crop damage, thanks to the AI-based approach. According to an official from the department’s Emerging Technologies branch, all of these approaches helped farmers improve the quality of their yields and, as a result, raise their incomes.
As part of the study, officials photographed the plants at various phases of development, including seedlings and blossoming. The photographs were then scanned into the system to determine whether or not there was a pest infestation, according to the official. The algorithm identifies the pest based on signs such as leaf color change and stem color change. According to the official, agriculture pest control or other preventative actions to farmers based on these findings
AEOs performed training sessions and prepared phase-by-phase data of photos from a specific hamlet in order to inform farmers about pest attacks in advance. They also did soil assessments and provided guidance to farmers on how to improve soil fertility, according to the official. Since the majority of the cotton crop harvest has been completed and the produce sold in the markets, efforts are being made to create a dashboard that will track the types of pest attacks and the remedial measures that will be implemented for specific pests. This will aid in the maintenance of on-hand data and suggesting methods for early pest control action, as well as assist farmers in enhancing cotton quality, according to the official.
- As part of the research, officials photographed the plants at various phases, such as saplings, flowering, and so on.
- The algorithm identifies the pest based on signs such as leaf colour change and stem colour change.
- Agriculture officials may advise farmers on pest control or preventative measures based on their findings.
