ADT Proposes AI-Based Revolution in Sugarcane Farming

-Dilip Patil

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Agriculture Development Trust (ADT), Baramati, has proposed a partnership with sugar factories to become the nodal agency for AI-based sugarcane farming projects. This initiative aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional farming practices to revolutionize Maharashtra’s sugarcane farming sector.

Proposal Highlights
The programme operates under the Hub and Spoke Model-II, with sugar factories selecting progressive farmers for participation. Each farmer will receive AI support for enhanced productivity and sustainability. The estimated cost per farmer is ₹25,000, which includes the following components:

Satellite Support & Cloud Service: ₹1,500 annually for one year.
Moisture Sensors: ₹9,500 (five-year lifespan).
IoT Weather Centers: ₹5,000 (shared among 25 farmers for five years).
Soil Testing Kits: ₹500 per cluster for five years.
Artificial Intelligence Solutions: ₹5,000 annually for precision farming apps, advisory tools, and crop monitoring.
Additional costs cover training modules, drone diagnostics, and customer support.

Transforming Sugarcane Fields with AI
Farmers like Mahendra Thorat from Khutbav village are already reaping the benefits. Thorat reports a 40% increase in yield while using 50% less water and fewer pesticides. “AI tools guide me on precise irrigation, pest control, and weather-based interventions,” he shared, adding that this season’s crop is his most promising in decades.

Bapu Avhad from Navale village corroborates these claims, saying, “AI alerts me about pest control based on weather conditions, though it lacks information on NPK nutrients. Still, my crop this year is far better than ever before.”

From Pilot Projects to Mainstream Farming
Initially tested on controlled plots, ADT’s AI tools have shown exceptional results, boosting yields by 40% while cutting water usage in half. Tushar Jadhav, leading the AI initiative at ADT, explained that the system uses satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and soil sensors to provide tailored advice to farmers. Powered by Microsoft’s Azure Data Manager for Agriculture, this technology delivers real-time insights, helping prevent losses from pests and diseases.

“The AI system detected early signs of fungal infections, allowing preventive action and saving crops,” Jadhav recalled.

Scaling Impact Across Maharashtra
With promising pilot results, AI-driven farming has expanded to 1,000 sugarcane farmers across Pune district, with plans to integrate more participants. Farmers gain access to weather stations, drones for crop diagnostics, and detailed advisory services. ADT CEO, Nilesh Nalawade, envisions a future where precision agriculture becomes mainstream, bringing tangible economic benefits to farmers and promoting sustainability.

Opportunities and Challenges
While AI-driven farming offers significant advantages like cost savings on water, fertilisers, and pesticides, the annual ₹10,000 subscription fee may deter small-scale farmers. Policymakers, including Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, advocate for widespread adoption, emphasizing its role in combating climate change and water scarcity.

This project is positioning Maharashtra’s sugarcane belt at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, blending traditional wisdom with cutting-edge AI technology. Could this be the future of farming for India’s most resource-intensive crops? Only time will tell, but early adopters like Thorat believe they are already witnessing the dawn of a new agricultural era.
For more details, please contact Dr Vivek Bhoite 77200 89177

The Author Dilip Patil is Managing Director of Karmyogi Ankushrao Tope Samarth Co-op Sugar Factory, Ambad -Jalna. (Maharashtra)