Centre launches new AI-based surveillance system to manage pests, connect scientists with farmers

• The Union Government recently launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

Highlights:

• National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.
• Aim of NPSS is to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management.
• NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management.
• NPSS will help about 14 crore farmers in the country.
• The Centre envisages connecting scientists with the fields using the platform.
• Farmers can take photos of the infested crops or the insect using the NPSS platform and these will reach scientists and experts
• Using the correct quantity of correct pesticide at the correct time is the challenge and this system helps the farmers to address this challenge

Prelims Takeaway

• NPSS