Hyderabad, India: By seamlessly blending technology with agricultural knowledge, more than 30 million small-scale farmers in semi-arid regions have received real-time advice on managing plant health, leading to significant enhancements in farming methods, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) said in a press release.
Harnessing the capabilities of the Plantix app’s AI-driven diagnostics, fueled by research and data from ICRISAT, farmers can swiftly tackle numerous agricultural challenges.
Speaking on the 10-year journey, Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting partnerships for sustainable development.
“We believe in the power of shared visions, combining science, innovation and technology to create effective solutions that benefit smallholder farmers. Together, we have achieved over 30 million downloads of the Plantix app and analysed more than 100 million images, providing critical agricultural insights to millions of farmers worldwide,” ” said Dr Hughes.
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The success of the initiative reflects the combined efforts of partners, collaborators, and the farming community, embodying a resilient and determined spirit that enhances productivity and encourages the adoption of sustainable farming practices across diverse ecosystems.
Simone Strey, Chief Executive Officer of Plantix, extended gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the decade-long initiative and implored like-minded entities to join the mission of transforming agriculture through science and technology.
“As we move forward, we are committed to enhancing our technology, broadening our impact, and steadfastly serving the farming community. This journey is not just ours; it’s an invitation to come together in planting seeds of knowledge, hope and resilience for future farming generations,” said Strey.
Sowing a Seed of Change
In recognition of the 10-year journey, ICRISAT and Plantix unveiled a commemorative brochure, Sowing a Seed of Change.
“The brochure is a testament to a decade of dedication and progress and serves as a catalyst for conversations within agricultural networks worldwide,” said, Dr Srikanth Rupavatharam, Senior Scientist-Digital Agriculture, Global Research Program for Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT, who led efforts from the organisation’s multi-disciplinary research team.
Highlighting the pioneering efforts of the entire team, Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Research Program Director, Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT, said the project has laid the foundation for impactful change, driving progress and prosperity for smallholder farmers worldwide.
“This innovative partnership with Plantix stands out as an exemplar of smallholder farmer-centric digital transformation,” asserted Dr Jat. “I look forward to our continued collaboration, fostering agricultural innovation and creating lasting global impacts,” he added.
