AI to power Himalayan farming: SKUAST-K leads MeitY’s smart agri-tech mission
New Delhi/Srinagar, Jul 11: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has launched an ambitious Agri-Excellence Program focused on the “Application of Electronics & ICT in Himalayan Region Crop Management.” The initiative, aimed at transforming high-value crop farming in the Himalayas, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, was formally launched in New Delhi.
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has been designated the nodal institution for the program, bringing together a consortium of leading national R&D organisations—C-DAC Kolkata, CSIR-CMERI Durgapur and Ludhiana, CMTI Bengaluru, and C-DAC Mohali. The project is backed by MeitY with support from ICAR, the J&K government, and private sector partners.
Speaking at the kickoff meeting, Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator (R&D), MeitY, highlighted the program’s national importance in advancing ICT and automation-based solutions for high-value crops like saffron, apple, and walnut.
Project teams outlined a roadmap featuring AI-powered tools including smart saffron harvesters, automated stigma separators, non-destructive apple defect detectors, and walnut harvesters. An integrated e-Marketing platform is also in development, aimed at digitising the entire value chain from farm to market.
“These technologies are set to cut down manual labour, enhance precision, and improve profitability for Himalayan farmers,” said Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, who was lauded for aligning institutional expertise with national priorities.
Beyond tech innovation, the program also aims to foster entrepreneurship through Agri Grand Challenges, hackathons, incubation support, and farmer training workshops—ensuring that cutting-edge solutions reach the grassroots.
Prof Syed Zameer Hussain, Principal Investigator of the program, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging MeitY’s support and reaffirming SKUAST-K’s commitment to building a replicable model for smart agriculture in the region.
