AI-Based Weather Forecasting Initiative for Farmers: Successful Pilot Reaches 38.8 Million Farmers Across 13 States

In a major step towards integrating technology with Indian agriculture, the government has successfully completed an AI-based weather forecasting pilot project. Conducted in collaboration with the Development Innovation Lab–India, the initiative aimed to generate localized early monsoon forecasts for selected regions ahead of the Kharif 2025 season.

AI and Historical Data Power the Forecasting Model:

The pilot used an open-source mixed-model framework that combined multiple global and indigenous weather intelligence systems, including:

1. NeuralGCM
2. ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts)
3. AIFS (Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System)
4. 125 years of historical rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD)

This model specifically focused on predicting localized early monsoon onset, which plays a crucial role in helping farmers determine the ideal sowing dates.

Early Forecasts Delivered to 38.8 Million Farmers:

The early monsoon forecasts generated through the model were disseminated to 38,845,214 farmers via SMS through the m-Kisan portal. Messages were broadcast in five regional languages—Hindi, Odia, Marathi, Bengali, and Punjabi to ensure accessibility for farmers across the 13 states covered in the pilot.

Farmer Feedback: AI Forecasts Influenced Sowing Decisions:

Following the forecast rollout, telephone surveys were conducted in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar through Kisan Call Centres.
The feedback revealed that:

• 31% to 52% of farmers modified their sowing-related decisions
• Changes included adjustments in land preparation, sowing time, crop selection, and input planning

These findings highlight the growing influence and effectiveness of AI-driven weather intelligence in supporting farmers’ decision-making.

Other Key Applications of AI in Indian Agriculture:

To enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer livelihoods, the government is implementing several AI-supported solutions across the agricultural ecosystem.

1. Kisan e-Mitra: AI Chatbot Supporting Farmers in 11 Languages:

“Kisan e-Mitra” is a voice-based AI chatbot designed to help farmers resolve queries related to:

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

The chatbot currently operates in 11 regional languages, supports multiple government schemes, handles over 8,000 farmer queries daily, and has already answered over 9.3 million queries.

2. National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS):

To address increasing pest incidents caused by climate change, the AI and machine learning-powered NPSS has been deployed.
Its key functions include:

1. Early detection of pest infestations
2. Timely intervention for crop protection
3. Supporting more than 10,000 extension workers

The system currently assists in managing 66 crops and detecting over 432 pest species across various regions.

3. Satellite-Based Crop Mapping:

AI-based analytics are also being used for:

1. Assessing crop–weather compatibility
2. Monitoring the condition of sown crops through field images
3. Conducting satellite-based crop mapping for improved accuracy

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