New Delhi: The Centre is scaling up the use of artificial intelligence and drone technologies in agriculture to boost crop productivity, sustainability and farmer incomes, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said on Monday.
Under multiple schemes, AI tools are being deployed for advisory services, pest surveillance and weather forecasting, while drones are being promoted for precision farming and farm services. The ministry said its AI-powered voice chatbot Kisan e-Mitra now handles over 8,000 farmer queries daily across 11 regional languages, having answered more than 93 lakh queries related to schemes such as PM-Kisan, crop insurance and Kisan Credit Cards.
To curb crop losses linked to climate change, the National Pest Surveillance System uses AI and machine learning to detect pest infestations across 66 crops and 432 pests, enabling early intervention. The platform is currently used by over 10,000 extension workers, the ministry said.
The government has also piloted AI-based local monsoon onset forecasts in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department, covering parts of 13 states during Kharif 2025. Forecasts sent via SMS to nearly 3.9 crore farmers helped 31–52% of respondents adjust planting decisions, including sowing time and crop choices, based on feedback surveys.
On mechanisation, the Centre is offering up to 50% subsidy, capped at ₹5 lakh, to small, marginal and women farmers for purchasing drones under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation. Between 2023-24 and 2025-26, over 2,100 drones have been approved for farmers and custom hiring centres, while more than 1,000 drones have been distributed to women self-help groups under the Namo Drone Didi initiative.