Digitising and Utilising Infrastructure of Artificial Intelligence

for doubling the farmers income

1
V.Rekha
Assistant Professor,
Agurchand Manmull Jain College,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
rekhaonmail@gmail.com

2
Dr. S.Uma Shankari
Assistant Professor,
Department of Computer Applications (M.C.A.),
SRM Institute of Science and Technology,
Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
umabalajees@gmail.com

Abstract – Indeed, agriculture is a critical sector in India, employing a large portion of the population, yet
contributing a smaller percentage to the overall GDP (Gross Domestic Product). In the face of ever-increasing
food demand, traditional farming methods alone are inadequate to sustainably meet the needs of a growing
world. In response to this challenge, the agricultural sector is turning towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a
new era of smart agriculture. Artificial Intelligence with its ability to process vast amounts of data is to
transform farming practices, making them more efficient, sustainable, and productive. IT provides an extensive
overview on current and continuing advances in IoT agricultural applications and many innovative
technologies. These AI Technologies are increasing the farmer’s income, and it is a Boon. IoT and AI
Transforming Agriculture particularly IoT, are at the forefront of this transformation. They are bringing about
significant advancements in agricultural applications, enhancing productivity, and ultimately increasing farmers'
income. Finally, it is cleared that digitizing and utilizing the digital infrastructure is a boon to the Farmers.

Keywords: Farmer’s income, Digitising Agriculture, Agriculture in AI, IOT in Agriculture, E-agriculture

I. INTRODUCTION

Indeed, agriculture is a critical sector in India, employing a large portion of the population, yet contributing a
smaller percentage to the overall; GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Despite various measures taken to alleviate
the world hunger problem, food insecurity and undernutrition remain serious problems in many countries [1]. In
the face of burgeoning global population and ever-increasing food demand, traditional farming methods alone
are inadequate to sustainably meet the needs of a growing world. In response to this challenge, the agricultural
sector is turning towards. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a new era of smart agriculture. AI, with its ability to
process vast amounts of data is to transform farming practices, making them more efficient, sustainable, and
productive. It plays a key part in long term economic growth and structural transformation [2-4]. The core idea
behind the application of AI in agriculture lies in its adaptability, exceptional performance, precision, and
economic viability. This paper offers an extensive overview of AI applications within soil management, crop
management, weed management, and disease control. It places particular emphasis on exploring the strengths
and constraints of these applications while also delving into the effective utilization of expert systems to
enhance agricultural productivity.

II. THE PROPOSED MODEL

Smart Agriculture / Smart farming refers to managing farms using modern Information and communication
technologies to increase the quantity and quality of products while optimizing the human labour required.
Smart farming incorporates information and communication technologies into machinery, equipment and
sensors used in agricultural production systems. Technologies such as the IoT and cloud computing are
advancing this development even further by introducing more robots and artificial intelligence into farming.
Machine Learning, Deep Learning Techniques, Internet of Things (IoT), are used to Smart Agriculture to help
the farmers with various algorithm and CNN architectures. Among the technologies available for present-day
farmers are the Sensors like soil, water, light, humidity, temperature management software such as ML and DL
Algorithms & IoT platforms, connectivity with cellular, LoRa (Long Range for monitoring), GPS (location
tracking), Satellite, Robotics for planting, monitoring crop health, packing, sorting after post harvesting and
spraying crops, improving efficiency, and reducing labour requirements [5].

III. STATUS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN AGRICULTURE

Soil Management: Soil constitutes a paramount element in the realm of successful agriculture. Being the
primary source of nourishment, soil serves as a reservoir for vital components like water, nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, and proteins, all of which are pivotal for the proper growth and development of crops [13]. Soil
quality can be enhanced through the incorporation of compost and manure, leading to improved soil porosity
and aggregation. Additionally, alternative tillage systems can be employed to prevent physical degradation of
the soil. Moreover, soil management techniques offer the potential to mitigate adverse factors, including
soil-borne pathogens and contaminants [6]. An illustration of AI's utility in this context is the creation of soil
maps, aiding in the visualization of soil-landscape relationships and the determination of various underground
soil layers and their composition [7].

Weed Management: Weeds pose a significant threat to agricultural profitability. Uncontrolled weed infestation
can result in substantial yield losses, such as a 50% reduction in dried beans and corn crop yields, as well as a
48% decrease in wheat yields. Weeds compete with crops for essential resources, including water, nutrients, and
sunlight, while some can be toxic and pose public health hazards [6]. Traditional weed control methods, such as
indiscriminate spraying, can have adverse effects on public health and environmental pollution. To address
these concerns, artificial intelligence-based weed detection systems have been developed in laboratories. These
systems calculate precise spray quantities and accurately target weed-infested areas, reducing costs and the risk
of crop damage [8].

Utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) Technology: The Internet of Things (IoT) constitutes a network comprising
interconnected computing devices, mechanical machines, and diverse objects, each assigned a unique identifier
and equipped with data transfer capabilities. This innovative system minimizes the need for direct
human-to-human or human-to-computer interactions. IoT builds upon existing technologies, such as wireless
sensor networks (WSNs), cloud computing, and radio frequency identification (RFID). Its applications span
various domains, including monitoring, precision agriculture, tracking and tracing, greenhouse production, and
agricultural machinery [7]. IoT leverages data analysis in multiple forms, including sensor data, audio, images,
and videos. Crucial areas for data analysis encompass prediction, storage management, decision-making, farm
management, precision application, and insurance, among others [7].

Development of Agricultural Robots: AI's significant role extends to various domains, including the realm of
robotics systems. Over the years, endeavours have been made to integrate robotics into agriculture with the aim
of enhancing efficiency, reliability, and precision. This strategic integration seeks to transition from
labour-intensive manual work to automated solutions, thereby revolutionizing the agricultural industry. An
early instance of an agricultural robot is exemplified by tractors that receive input, particularly a programmed
route, from the Global Positioning System (GPS). Utilizing machine vision technology, these devices can
efficiently operate in conjunction with crop lines [9].

Deep Learning Technology: Deep learning algorithms applied in the context of agricultural income can be
classified into two main categories: supervised algorithms and unsupervised algorithms. Within the realm of
supervised learning, the model is provided with the correct output for each input pattern. In contrast,
unsupervised learning operates without the need for a known output associated with the input data.
Unsupervised learning is focused on uncovering the underlying structure within a dataset and organizing the
data into categories based on inherent correlations [10]. It refers to an information processing system and
intelligent software programs that draw inspiration from biological neural networks[11].

S. No. Types of Deep Learning Application in Agriculture

1 Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) ● Plant and livestock monitoring
● Analyse plant diseases and damages
● Measure plant growth
● Yield prediction
● Soil fertility management
● Automated harvesting
● Decision support systems
 ● Crop classification
● Plant and livestock monitoring

2 Convolution Neural Networks (CNN) ● Crop phenology

● Seed identification
● Soil and leaf nitrogen content
● Irrigation
● Plant water stress detection
● Water erosion assessment
● Pest detection and herbicide use
● Identification of contaminants
● Diseases or defects of food
● Crop hail damage
● Greenhouse monitoring

3 Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) ● Crop yield prediction

Table.1. Types of Deep Learning and their application in Agriculture

IV. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and Mobile Applications

The adoption of cloud computing, integrated IT systems, online education, and the widespread use of mobile
phones has made it significantly easier to disseminate crucial agricultural information to farmers in even the
most economically challenged communities. One of the key advantages of this enhanced connectivity and
information flow is its capacity to empower farmers to make more informed land management decisions.

For instance, this technology can be harnessed to monitor soil conditions, combining real-time data with
weather information to better plan planting and harvesting seasons. Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
can provide farmers with predictive insights regarding pests and animal diseases, enabling them to take timely
and appropriate actions in response to potential risks. Additionally, mobile and cloud computing technologies
have the potential to optimize the use of fertilizers, seeds, and water, resulting in cost savings for farmers [8, 9,
10].

Advantages of ICT in Agriculture:

● Enhanced Knowledge and Income: ICT empowers farmers with additional and advanced knowledge,
which can, in turn, boost their income.
● Increased Production Efficiency: Through the application of ICT techniques, production efficiency can
be significantly enhanced.
● Improved Sales and Profitability: ICT can help increase sales and overall profitability in the agricultural
sector by facilitating better market access and matching supply with demand.
 Fig.1 IoT and ICT

V. MOBILE APPS DRIVE GLOBAL AGRICULTURE: Cloud computing, integrated IT systems, online
education, and the proliferation of mobile phones make it easier to disseminate agricultural information to
farmers in the poorest communities. One advantage of such connectivity and information flow is that it assists
farmers in making better land management decisions. As it can be used to monitor soil conditions in
conjunction with weather data to better plan the planting and harvesting seasons. Similarly, Geographical
Information Systems can be used to provide farmers with predictive information on pests and animal diseases,
allowing them to respond appropriately to the level of risk. Mobile and cloud computing technologies can also
be used to optimize the use of fertilizer, seeds, and water. Farmers benefit from this by saving money.

Fig. 2 Government Schemes for Digital Agriculture

The digitalization of Indian agriculture offers numerous benefits, as highlighted in your description. Here are
some additional details on each of these advantages:
​ Enhanced Productivity & Efficiency:
● Precision Agriculture: Digital tools enable precision farming by using data to optimize the use of
inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation. This results in higher crop yields and reduced
costs.
● Data-Driven Decision-Making: Farmers can make data-backed decisions regarding crop
selection, planting schedules, and harvesting times, leading to improved efficiency.
● Remote Monitoring: The use of drones and satellite imagery allows farmers to remotely monitor
the condition of their crops and make necessary adjustments.
​ Resource Conservation:
● Sustainable Farming Practices: Digital technology helps farmers adopt sustainable practices like
no-till farming and crop rotation, which reduce soil degradation and improve long-term soil
health.
● Water Management: Real-time data on soil moisture levels and weather patterns help farmers
optimize irrigation, reducing water wastage and conserving this precious resource.
​ Market Linkages & Price Transparency:
● Farmer Empowerment: Digital platforms enable farmers to directly access a larger customer
base, reducing their dependence on traditional intermediaries. This can lead to better prices for
their produce.
● Fair Pricing: Through online marketplaces and price transparency, farmers are less likely to be
subjected to price manipulation by middlemen.
​ Timely Information & Advisory Services:
● Crop Protection: Farmers can receive timely alerts about potential pest and disease outbreaks,
enabling them to take preventive measures, thus reducing crop loss.
● Risk Mitigation: Access to weather forecasts helps farmers plan their activities and mitigate the
impact of adverse weather conditions.
● Knowledge Dissemination: Digital platforms facilitate the sharing of best practices, helping
farmers adopt modern and effective agricultural techniques.
​ Rural Employment & Economic Growth:
● Job Creation: The development and deployment of agricultural technology and digital platforms
create job opportunities, especially in rural areas.
● Entrepreneurship: Digitalization encourages entrepreneurship in agriculture, leading to the
growth of startups and ag-tech companies.
● Economic Growth: By increasing the overall productivity and efficiency of the agricultural
sector, digitalization contributes to the economic growth of rural regions and the country as a
whole.
VI.CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the digitalization of Indian agriculture not only addresses the challenges faced by farmers but
also opens up new opportunities for economic growth and job creation. It promotes sustainable practices,
empowers farmers, and enhances the overall resilience and productivity of the agricultural sector. The adoption
of these technologies not only addresses the specific challenges you mentioned but also contributes to increased
efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability in agriculture. Furthermore, it reduces the reliance on manual labor,
which can be particularly beneficial in regions facing labor shortages. Overall, the integration of AI and
technology into agriculture is transforming the industry, making it more resilient and productive.

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Deep Learning in Agriculture: Concept, Types,

Applications and Popular Models
Keywords -