Vodafone Idea Foundation is expanding its transformational ‘SmartAgri’ project in the agri-heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, and Telangana. Launched in 2020, the project brings together advanced technology interventions to help farmers improve their livelihood and adopt sustainable farming methods.
With the use of the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and real-time technology solutions, SmartAgri provides farmers with information on critical elements to farming – like soil and air quality, wind, presence of insects and pests and crop growth. Farmers also receive real-time and localized advisories on critical Agri inputs for their crops and agricultural news on markets, government policies and schemes, etc. They receive this in their regional languages via mobile phones with audio options. Launched in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, the project expanded to four more states, empowering over 2.8 lakh farmers to gain 8-12% higher yield and reduce costs by 15-20%.
It also provides small farmers with physical assistance to incorporate sustainable agricultural practices to increase their yield. It has empanelled 125 tech-savvy young agri-entrepreneurs and 15 Farmer Producer Organisations to assist the farmers and help them access vital information about their crops.
The Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer of VIL and Director of Vodafone Idea Foundation P Balaji said, “We are happy to further expand the project in the four states, enabling over 2.8 lakh farmers to reap the benefits of this transformation.”