Technological advancements in India have increased farmer profitability by 26% while reducing pesticide use by 18%, said Tanveer S Uberoi, Director, Mid-Market Sales, Google Customer Solutions.
He said in a keynote on “Leveraging AI for Market Insights and Improved Productivity” on the second day of the International Spice Conference (ISC) 2025, hosted by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) here in Bengaluru.
While illustrating AI’s tangible benefits in sustainable and profitable farming, Mr. Uberoi cited Google’s collaboration with AI-driven agricultural platforms, such as OneMoney, which enables farmers to upload photos of their crops for AI-powered disease diagnosis and treatment suggestions. ‘‘These advancements have increased farmer profitability by 26% while reducing pesticide use by 18%,’‘ he said.
Mr. Uberoi highlighted the growing role of AI in India’s digital transformation, adding that by 2025, the country was expected to have 900 million active internet users, with 90% of rural users engaging with digital platforms daily. This growth has transformed digital accessibility, e-commerce, and content consumption, particularly in regional languages, he explained.
“Rural users are digitally engaged, but they consume content differently. Businesses must adapt by leveraging regional languages and digital platforms like YouTube, which sees over 500 hours of content uploaded every minute,” he pointed out.
He highlighted the transformative power of technology in agriculture, emphasising how AI-driven analytics, precision farming tools, and digital marketplaces are increasingly evolutionising the sector. Precision farming, drone surveillance, and smart agricultural practices could bridge the yield gap in developing regions, empowering farmers to compete globally while preserving environmental resources, he observed.
He said AI-powered chatbots were already providing 24/7 virtual assistance to farmers, helping them with queries on crop selection, pest control, and harvesting techniques.
According to other experts who also spoke at the forum, IoT-based soil monitoring, weather prediction apps, and blockchain-enabled supply chains have been transforming smallholder farming communities, making them more resilient against market volatility and climate uncertainties.
On climate intelligence initiatives, Mr. Uberoi pointed out that hyperlocal weather forecasting was now being used to deliver accurate climate predictions, allowing farmers to plan their cultivation cycles more effectively. AI-driven supply chains were helping to minimize waste in the logistics and improve the distribution of perishables, he added.
Published – February 25, 2025 09:30 pm IST
