Lok Sabha Question No. 2662 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Improving the Agriculture Sector through Technical Initiatives
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2662

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER 2025

## IMPROVING THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR THROUGH TECHNICAL INITIATIVE

2662.  SHRI RAMVIR SINGH BIDHURI:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state: (a) the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made  to  improve  the  agriculture  sector through technological initiatives such as drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI); (b) whether any campaigns have been launched to create awareness among farmers about the said these technological initiatives and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the response and acceptance of these technological initiatives like drones and AI among farmers?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c):  The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW)   is actively promoting  the  adoption  of  new  technologies  in  agriculture  such  as  precision farming,  drone  technology,  climate  smart  agriculture,  Artificial  Intelligence  (AI) through several schemes and initiatives in the States/UTs.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and drones have been used to improve crop productivity, sustainability and farmer  livelihoods  and  to  address  various  challenges  in  the  agricultural  sector. Some of the initiatives are given below:

(i) 'Kisan e-Mitra' is a voice-based AI-powered chatbot, developed to assist farmers with responses to their queries on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Kisan Credit Card. This solution supports 11 regional languages and it handles over 8000 farmer queries daily.  More than 93 lakh queries have been answered so far.

(ii) The National Pest Surveillance System, for tackling the loss of produce due to climate change, utilizes AI and Machine Learning to detect pest infestation in crop issues, enabling timely intervention for healthier crops. This tool, currently used by over 10,000 extension workers, allows farmers to capture images of pests to help them mitigate pest attacks and reduce crop losses. At present, it supports 66 crops and over 432 pests.

O.I.H.

(iii)  An  AI-based  pilot  was  conducted  in  collaboration  with  India  Meteorological Department (IMD) and Development Innovation Lab India on agriculturally relevant local monsoon onset forecasts across parts of 13 states in India for Kharif 2025. Local monsoon onset forecasts were sent via SMS through the M-Kisan portal to 3,88,45,214  farmers  in  13  states  in  five  regional  languages.  Telephonic  farmer feedback surveys were conducted in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar through Kisan Call Centres after the forecasts were sent and the survey revealed that 31-52% farmers adjusted their planting decisions, primarily through changes in land preparation and sowing timing, which included crop and input choice.

(iv) Under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), individual small and marginal farmers, as well as women farmers are provided 50% subsidy (up to Rs. 5.00 lakhs) for purchasing drones. Financial assistance is also provided to establish Custom  Hiring  Centres  (CHCs),  which  provide  agricultural  machinery  including drones and other new technology farming equipment on rent to farmers who cannot afford individual ownership. Under SMAM, during the period from 2023-24 to 202526 (as on 30 November 2025), 2122 number of drones have been approved for distribution to individual farmers and CHCs. (v) The Government approved Central Sector Scheme 'NAMO DRONE DIDI' for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with a view to provide sustainable  business  and  livelihood  support  to  them.  1094  drones  have  been distributed  to  SHGs  by  the  Lead  Fertilizer  Companies  in  2023-24  utilizing  their internal resources. Out of these 1094 drone, 500 drones have been distributed to SHGs  under  Namo  Drone  Didi  scheme. The  study  carried  out  by  Agricultural Development and Rural Transformation Centre (ADRTC), Bangalore on these 500 drones indicates that the SHGs earlier were primarily engaged in agriculture and allied  activities  and  the  drones  provided  to  them  has  expanded  their  niche  to modern agricultural practices through drone technology, enhancing their efficiency and  productivity.  Overall,  the  adoption  of  drones  has  diversified  SHG  activities, improved agricultural practices, and increased income opportunities for women in rural communities. (vi)  The  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  institutions  are  actively involved in dissemination of drone technology. During the period from  2023-24 to 2025-26 (as on 30 November 2025), the ICAR through various ICAR institutions, State  Agricultural  Universities  (SAUs)  and  Krishi  Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  have conducted  drone  demonstrations  on  the  farmers'  fields  in  41010  hectare  area benefitting 452291 farmers.

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