Punjab turns to AI to support farmers and fields
The minister urged officials to install weather stations, engage farmers, support horticulture clusters and expand AI tools to boost livestock productivity.
Chandigarh: In a landmark move aimed at transforming agriculture in Punjab, the state government announced on Thursday its plans to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) across the agriculture sector. The initiative, supported by a Centre of Excellence established at IIT Ropar, is designed to enhance farm productivity, ensure sustainability, and boost farmers’ income by leveraging cutting-edge technology.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian chaired a high-level review meeting at Punjab Bhawan to assess progress and formulate a roadmap for the field-level deployment of AI-driven solutions. The minister emphasised that technological innovations must result in tangible, measurable benefits for farmers, particularly those at the grassroots level. “Advanced technology is only meaningful if it improves the daily lives and income of our farmers,” he said, underscoring the government’s commitment to translating innovation into practical results.
During the meeting, Khudian assured full support from the Punjab government for implementing pilot projects and scaling up AI-based interventions across districts. The minister highlighted the need for a holistic approach, combining technology with human engagement to ensure adoption and effectiveness.
He directed officials to facilitate the installation of automatic weather stations across the state, strengthen farmer engagement for field data collection, provide structured support to horticulture clusters, and expand AI-based solutions for improving livestock productivity. “Farmers should feel empowered, not burdened, by technology,” he said, calling for AI tools that are user-friendly, reliable, and directly responsive to agricultural needs.
Khudian also welcomed IIT Ropar’s initiative to launch national-level courses on precision agriculture and AI in agriculture. The courses, aimed at developing skills among youth and building capacity among government officers, would help create a new generation of agri-tech professionals. Special reservation of seats for students and officers from Punjab will further strengthen the state’s human resource base, ensuring that the local workforce is well-prepared to lead and sustain AI-driven agricultural transformation.
The minister noted that the collaboration between the Punjab government and IIT Ropar has the potential to position the state as a national leader in AI-based agricultural innovation. “Through this partnership, Punjab can become a model for integrating technology with traditional farming practices, enhancing resource efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable growth in agriculture and allied sectors,” Khudian said.
During the review, Pushpendra P. Singh, Associate Professor at IIT Ropar, presented the key initiatives being undertaken under the Centre of Excellence, which has a financial outlay of approximately Rs 310 crore, supported by the Government of India. The projects aim to leverage AI across multiple aspects of agriculture, from crop management to livestock care.
Professor Singh explained that the Centre is developing AI-based crop advisory systems that provide real-time guidance to farmers on planting, fertilization, irrigation, and pest management. The multilingual farmer chatbots, another key initiative, are designed to interact with farmers in their local languages, providing timely advice and reducing dependency on intermediaries.
Digital twins of crops are being created to simulate growth patterns, predict outcomes under different weather conditions, and optimize interventions. These tools, combined with yield estimation models and soil health analytics, are expected to significantly improve decision-making on the farm. Weather intelligence tools will help farmers anticipate extreme conditions, reduce losses, and plan better cropping schedules.
AI-based livestock management applications are also part of the Centre’s initiatives. These solutions aim to monitor animal health, track productivity, and improve breeding practices, thereby increasing efficiency and profitability in the dairy and poultry sectors. The government believes that integrating livestock management with crop and soil data will provide a holistic approach to farm productivity.
The minister stressed that technology alone is not sufficient and must be paired with strong engagement with farmers to ensure adoption. Training programs, awareness campaigns, and hands-on demonstrations will be rolled out across the state.
Officials at the meeting discussed the phased implementation of pilot projects across selected districts, monitoring impact, and collecting feedback for improvements. The pilot programs will focus on regions with high potential for both crop and horticulture productivity, creating a blueprint for scaling up state-wide.
Khudian concluded by reiterating the government’s vision of a tech-enabled, farmer-centric agricultural system.
With these initiatives, Punjab is taking a significant step towards merging traditional farming wisdom with modern technology, promising a future where farmers can thrive while making agriculture smarter, safer, and more sustainable. The collaboration with IIT Ropar is expected to be a cornerstone of this transformation, fostering innovation, skill development, and a new era of AI-driven agriculture in the state.