Microsoft’s AI technology helps Baramati farmers fight climate and improve productivity

The Agricultural Development Trust (ADT) of Baramati in Maharashtra has been effectively using Microsoft AI technology to improve crop yields, reduce crop time as also post-harvest losses, according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

With a select group of farmers in the drought-prone region, who signed up for Microsoft’s Project Farm Vibes, ADT has been using AI-driven solutions for cropping, which include irrigation, fertiliser use etc.

This, according to Nadella, has helped improve crop yields by 40 per cent and reduce fertiliser use by 25 per cent.

The Agricultural Development Trust, a farmers’ organisation founded by former Maharashtra chief minister Sharad Pawar, is expanding this AI-driven experiment from 1,000 farmers to 50,000 farmers, according to Nadella.

Farm Vibes uses satellite data, IoT sensors, drones, and AI algorithms to generate actionable insights for farmers.

Microsoft’s Farm Vibes uses a sensor fusion technology to integrate real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, pH levels and humidity collected from drones, satellites, and soil sensors to offer data-driven recommendations for farmers to act upon.

Farmers can use Microsoft’s Vernacular AI Assistance to access AI-generated advice in their local language, which makes it user-friendly.

Microsoft’s sensor fusion technology can be used in precision farming, which includes spot fertilisation techniques that help reduce chemical use by up to 25 per cent, besides improving soil health and sustainability.

Farm Vibes’ use of AI-monitored weather patterns and field conditions facilitates better crop scheduling and water management.

The application of AI-based impact assessment of climate, nutrients etc on soil and crops has helped to improve farming practices and improve crop yields by up to 40 per cent, says Nadella.

This has also helped increase farm productivity with a 50 per cent reduction in water consumption, 25 per cent reduction in fertiliser costs, thereby minimising chemical use and improving cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

The one surprising result in the use of AI-enabled farming technology is a reduction in sugarcane crop cycle by a third, ie, from 18 months to 12 months.

The AI-driven agricultural technologies also helped to bring down post-harvest crop losses by 2 per cent by streamlining logistics and storage.

Farm Vibes brings together teams from Microsoft Research and Azure AI Team, Agricultural Development Trust and Oxford University AI Researchers.