A new collaboration between George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar (IIT-Ropar) is set to enhance crop yields through the power of artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative is led by CEC’s Divisional Dean Gurdip Singh, who met with Rajiv Ahuja, director of IIT Ropar, at a conference in Washington, D.C. in January, 2024.
This partnership aims to become one of the three Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in AI, as part of a larger effort to improve India’s AI ecosystem. The Ministry of Education of India put out a call for proposals last winter, resulting in the selection of three educational institutions to lead in different areas. AIIMS and IIT Delhi will focus on healthcare, IIT Kanpur will drive sustainable cities initiatives, and IIT Ropar will lead efforts in agriculture.
The CoE for AI in agriculture, spearheaded by IIT Ropar, will involve collaboration with eight other IITs to conduct interdisciplinary research, develop cutting-edge applications, and create scalable solutions in the agriculture sector. The aim is to leverage AI technology to improve agricultural methods and crop yields, particularly in Punjab, known as the breadbasket of India.
Professor Pushpendra Singh, dean of research and technology at IIT Ropar, emphasized the importance of connecting with farmers, understanding their challenges, and developing AI-based solutions to enhance economic outcomes. By collecting and utilizing data on crop yields, weather patterns, remote sensing, and local farming conditions, the project aims to provide real-time advice to farmers on sowing, harvesting, crop health, and managing extreme weather events.
The $40 million funding over four years will provide opportunities for George Mason University to collaborate with institutions in India and host visits for knowledge exchange. The collaboration underscores the significance of finding engineering and technical solutions to address challenges posed by a growing population, climate change, and limited natural resources.
As the project moves forward, the focus will be on harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize agricultural practices, improve crop yields, and ensure sustainable food production in the face of evolving environmental conditions. This partnership between George Mason University and IIT Ropar represents a significant step towards advancing agricultural innovation through cutting-edge technology and collaborative research efforts.
