Maharashtra to Use AI and Digital Twin Technology to Transform Agriculture

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is set to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), satellite imagery, drones, IoT sensors and data analytics to modernise agriculture, improve farm productivity and reduce input costs.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed that 10,000 farmers be selected for the first phase of a pilot project based on Digital Twin Learning. The initiative was discussed at a presentation meeting at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai, attended by Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane, Sakal Group Chairman Pratap Pawar, senior officials and technology experts.

The pilot will initially cover cotton, soybean, pigeon pea, sugarcane, oranges, turmeric, onion and maize. Satellite and drone-based systems will monitor crop growth, soil moisture, weather conditions, pests and diseases.

The collected data will be analysed to provide farm-specific and crop-specific advisories directly to farmers’ mobile phones, helping them make informed decisions on irrigation, fertilisers and crop protection.

Trials by the Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati, reportedly recorded an average sugarcane yield increase of 17.66 tonnes per acre, while precision irrigation achieved water savings of up to 42%.

The government plans to assess the pilot’s outcomes before expanding the technology across Maharashtra, aiming to build a more productive, resource-efficient and climate-resilient agricultural ecosystem.