The Government of India, today, announced the establishment of three AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to healthcare, agriculture, and sustainable cities. These centers aim to promote innovation and implement AI-driven solutions across these vital sectors to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
The AI Centre of Excellence in Agriculture, established under the leadership of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, aims to significantly improve farming practices by merging artificial intelligence with traditional agricultural knowledge. This initiative will focus on gathering and analyzing data related to crop yields, weather patterns, remote sensing, and local farming conditions. By utilizing this information, the center will provide AI-based real-time advice to farmers on critical activities such as sowing, harvesting, and monitoring crop health, ultimately aimed at minimizing losses and maximizing productivity.
Comprehensive Data Utilization with AI
The center will systematically collect data that includes historical crop yields, current weather forecasts, and information gathered through remote sensing technologies. This robust data set will enable farmers to make informed decisions tailored to their specific farming conditions, enhancing their ability to respond to changes in the environment and market demands.
AI Integration of Knowledge
Incorporating both traditional farming techniques and modern scientific insights, the center will ensure that its recommendations remain relevant in the face of climate change. This dual approach will not only support the immediate needs of farmers but also foster long-term sustainability in agricultural practices.
Focus on Biodiversity and Crop Quality
The initiative seeks to help farmers enhance crop quality and boost biodiversity on their farms. By providing tools and insights to cultivate a wider variety of crops and implement better management practices, the center will contribute to a more resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Addressing Animal Husbandry Challenges
In addition to its focus on crops, the AI Centre of Excellence will tackle challenges in the animal husbandry sector. Innovative AI-driven solutions will be developed to assist farmers in monitoring livestock health, improving breeding techniques, and increasing overall efficiency in livestock management. This comprehensive focus on both crop and animal agriculture aims to create a more integrated and productive agricultural system that benefits farmers and contributes to food security.
Government Investment and Collaboration
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, announced the creation of three AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The Government of India has allocated INR 990 Cr from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28 to establish AI Centers of Excellence. These centers are expected to drive interdisciplinary research in collaboration with industry partners and startups, fostering innovations in agriculture, healthcare, and sustainable cities.
Broader Scope of the AI Initiative
The broader AI initiative involves the creation of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Sustainable Cities and Healthcare, in addition to Agriculture. The AI Centre for Sustainable Cities, led by IIT Kanpur, will apply AI to urban planning, traffic management, and resource distribution. It will use data from sensors, GIS maps, and satellite feeds to optimize city infrastructure and design.
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Meanwhile, the Healthcare CoE, led by IIT Delhi and AIIMS Delhi, will focus on early disease detection, diagnostics, and pandemic tracking. This center will also address affordability and quality issues in healthcare, supporting trials and data collection for both conventional and AYUSH medicines. Through shared infrastructure, all three CoEs will collaborate to enhance cost efficiency and resource management across their fields of focus.
AI Vision for “Viksit Bharat”
This initiative is part of the government’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat” and falls under the “Make AI in India and Make AI Work for India” mission. Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, co-chaired the Apex Committee overseeing the implementation. Other prominent figures include K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, and key officials from various ministries, educational institutions, and startups.
The centers will not only push for technological advancements but also aim to build a strong AI ecosystem by nurturing talent and creating scalable solutions for pressing challenges in agriculture and beyond.