From Crop Pests to Sick Cattle: These Farmers Are Using AI To Get Answers In Their Language

Across India, farmers are embracing artificial intelligence to tackle daily challenges, from crop management to animal welfare, receiving vital information in their native languages. This technological integration is transforming agricultural practices by making expert advice accessible at the grassroots level.

For instance, Gayatriben in Gujarat sought help when her buffalo repeatedly banged its head against a tree, while Charmiben in Ishnav needed to understand why her cow wasn't thriving. Both found solutions through AI systems. Similarly, Dipali Kalbhor, a smallholder farmer from Maharashtra, leveraged MahaVISTAAR for critical information on crop prices, weather, and pest control. She credits its fertiliser calculator with helping reduce her fertiliser use by 15% and uses it to connect with agricultural officials multiple times daily.

Amul's 'Sarlaben' AI assistant in Gujarat provides dairy farmers with guidance on cattle health, breeding, and vaccinations in Gujarati. Gayatriben, who previously faced delays and costs for vet visits, now calls Sarlaben for immediate advice, such as cleaning an animal's horns with oil and turmeric, which proved effective. This demonstrates how AI, built with local context and language in mind, offers personalized, timely insights, helping farmers save crops, improve livestock health, and navigate government schemes. The Gates Foundation’s 2026 Goalkeepers Report highlights the critical need for AI to understand local languages and contexts to ensure equitable access and impact.

Why it matters: AI is bridging information gaps for farmers, leading to better outcomes and livelihoods.

Editor's note: The summary effectively distills the key anecdotes and thematic points regarding AI in agriculture from the source.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: The Better India