Artificial Intelligence & Nature Based Solution in Agriculture — BT Cotton Pest Management Case in India

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) based pest management advisory based on integrated pest management (IPM) to cotton farmers on smartphone by resulted in pest attack reduction & up to 22% higher income in the 1 year- 2020-21 in Ranebennur, Karnataka &Wardha, Maharashtra states. However, no significant benefit was seen in multi-state experiment 2022-22 due unusually high rainfall, resulting in lower pest attack. The artificial intelligence was used in pest detection & counting insect numbers in the pheromone trap to decide if threshold numbers are reached for pesticide spraying decision. This was 1-2 weeks in advance of mass pest emergence and could control it to reduce the crop damage. It required manual trap checking by the farmers on weekly basis, that many farmers disliked. Artificial intelligence coupled to remote sensing, GIS and/or farm sensors can benefit the farmers to cut cost, increase yield & cleaner production. Lower environmental pollution, less risk to the farmers and consumers are co-benefits of AI-IPM package. However, mating disruption technology is its competitor includes, which puts 4-6 pheromone traps per acre for mass capture of the moths. It is organic compatible and another competitor is the mechanical growing degree day (GDD) based IPM advisory such as by the startup “Fasal”. These are unintelligent, mechanical but very effective algorithms. Thus, a cautious, logical and gradual approach is needed in promoting AI in agriculture also keeping in mind its impact on labour displacement.