SMART-CROP Initiative Promotes Smart Farming Using Technology and Data Analytics

The Smart-Crop Project is a new and exciting agricultural initiative in India that uses advanced technology and data to help farmers grow crops more efficiently and protect them from problems like pests and bad weather. The project primarily helps smallholder farmers in Telangana and Karnataka improve their crop yields and incomes by using smart farming methods.

SMART-CROP Initiative: Empowering Farmers Through Smart Technology

The SMART-CROP (Sustainable Monitoring and Real-time Tracking for Crop Resilience and Optimal Practices) project is revolutionizing farming in India by introducing advanced technological solutions that benefit smallholder farmers in Telangana and Karnataka. This three-year initiative, backed by the SBI Foundation’s LEAP program, uses AI, satellite imaging, and remote sensing to monitor crop health in real time and provide actionable insights for pest management, disease control, and climate risk mitigation.

What is SMART-CROP?

SMART-CROP stands for Continuous Monitoring and Real-Time Tracking for Crop Resilience and Optimal Practices. It is a three-year project initiated by ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) in collaboration with the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, and Agribridge. The project is supported by the Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (LEAP) of the SBI Foundation.

• A Collaboration: It was launched by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in partnership with the SBI Foundation (the CSR arm of the State Bank of India), the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, and Agribridge.
• The Goal: The three-year project aims to strengthen the resilience and productivity of over 8,000 smallholder farmers in parts of Telangana and Karnataka, India.
• The Focus: The project primarily focuses on improving the cultivation of pulse crops, such as pigeon pea and chickpea.

Key Features and Impact

• Real-Time Crop Monitoring: Satellite and sensor data enable early detection of crop stress factors, allowing timely interventions.
• Focus on Pulses: Emphasizes pigeon pea and chickpea, essential for local nutrition and agriculture.
• Climate-Smart Farming: Integrates data analytics to predict climate-related risks like drought or floods.
• Farmer Training: Digital tools and education help farmers understand and use data effectively.
• Sustainability: Promotes soil health and resource optimization for long-term agricultural resilience.

Transforming Agriculture with Data and AI

By harnessing technology, SMART-CROP reduces crop losses (which are globally around 40% due to pests and diseases) and improves yields. The project’s approach exemplifies the growing global trend of smart farming—where data analytics, IoT, and AI intersect to create intelligent agriculture systems that are both profitable and sustainable.