The Gates Foundation chairman Bill Gates conducted his study of Andhra Pradesh's AI agricultural programs at an Undavalli farm. The Chief Minister and his team traveled from the Secretariat to the location. The Senior Agriculture Department officials described the state government technology programs which the government implemented to assist farmers.
The officials showed their main programs through a PowerPoint presentation. They explained their strategies which would achieve three goals: reducing farming expenses and boosting crop production and enhancing the export of high-quality agricultural goods. The centers use monitoring dashboards to track data and provide services to farmers. The dashboards help track data and deliver services efficiently.
Demonstration of AI Tools and Drone Technology
- Bill Gates examined the organic horticultural products which the farm cultivated through its organic farming methods. He visited a nearby banana plantation which farmers Mani and Annapurna cultivated. The farmers welcomed him and explained their cultivation methods.
- Annapurna demonstrated the government-developed APAIMS mobile app. She showed how farmers register crop details in the app. The platform provides information on crop selection, irrigation planning, soil conditions, market prices, pest control, and chemical usage.
- The farmers used an artificial intelligence tool to capture a photograph of the diseased plant which they showed to him. They uploaded the image to the app. The AI system identified the disease and suggested preventive measures. The farmers then booked a drone service through the same platform. The drone sprayed chemicals only in the affected area.
Farmer Experience With APAIMS App
- Farmers demonstrated their experience during their visit to the site. The farmers cultivated 600 sugarcane banana plants which required half an acre of land. The farmers spent about Rs. 80000 to establish their business which they expect to yield Rs. 1.80 lakh in profits.
- They claimed that the APAIMS application retains all information about their agricultural fields. They take photographs of pests which they subsequently upload to the system. The artificial intelligence tool detects the pest and provides the user with proper pesticide application instructions. Users of the application can schedule drone spraying services through the application.
- The explanation was delivered in Telugu which his representative Soumya translated into English for Bill Gates.
Interaction and Appreciation
- Bill Gates established contact with local farmers to show his support for technological agricultural development in the state. The farmers presented him with a basket containing bananas pomegranates guavas and mangoes which they had cultivated on their farms.
- Annapurna prepared traditional snacks which he sampled. The event was attended by ministers Atchannaidu and Nara Lokesh together with high-ranking officials from the Agriculture Department.
- Farmers described the visit as memorable. They showed satisfaction when they demonstrated how AI-based tools helped them increase their agricultural production and their financial earnings.
