Broken Fields, Smarter Loops

by Trisha Mehta

By 2030, small-scale farmers across India are grappling with climate extremes, unpredictable markets, and growing competition. To address this, the government introduces KrishiSmart, a Gen AI tool providing hyper-local insights on soil health, crop selection, and water use. Designed for accessibility, it is available via app and SMS, but adoption varies widely. States like Maharashtra and Karnataka, with established digital infrastructure and strong government backing, see rapid uptake, while ecologically fragile regions such as drought-prone Rajasthan and flood-vulnerable West Bengal encounter limitations.

KrishiSmart analyses real-time data to deliver region-specific guidance, from pest control to adaptive crop practices. It offers farmers critical support, yet the tool’s accuracy falters in areas with frequent climate disruptions, where traditional knowledge conflicts with AI recommendations.

Stakeholders include small farmers, state governments, cooperatives, and private tech investors, with regional policies shaping tool adoption. Digital literacy, ecological vulnerabilities, and cultural differences—like preference for traditional farming methods—further influence outcomes.

In tech-forward states with higher purchasing powers like Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat, farmers benefit from improved yields and incomes, while private companies flock to support emerging agri-tech hubs. Prosperity in these regions fosters local resilience, yet creates a socioeconomic divide. In ecologically vulnerable areas, KrishiSmart’s utility declines, leaving many farmers at risk of crop failure. Droughts in Rajasthan and floods in West Bengal strain adoption, exacerbating migration to urban centres and unsettling local economies.

By 2030, KrishiSmart has revolutionised small-scale farming, enhancing food security and reducing poverty in many rural areas. However, it also raises concerns about technology dependence and inequality. Gen AI-driven farming is both a solution and a risk, underscoring the importance of support systems and digital literacy training for sustainable, inclusive growth.