The SBI Foundation, in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has launched the SMART-CROP (Sustainable Monitoring and Real-time Tracking for Crop Resilience and Optimal Practices) project, a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience among more than 8,000 smallholder farmers in Karnataka and Telangana.

Supported under the SBI Foundation’s LEAP (Livelihood and Employability Accelerator Programme), the SMART-CROP project will utilise satellite imaging, remote sensing technologies, and AI/ML-based analytics to continuously monitor crop health and identify stress factors in real time. The system is designed to enable timely advisory services to farmers, helping them mitigate climate-related risks, pest and disease incidence, and soil health deterioration.

The project is being jointly implemented with the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, and Agribridge, the technology partner responsible for deploying analytical tools and decision-support platforms.

Speaking during the launch, Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, SBI Foundation, emphasised that the project will equip farmers with practical, technology-driven tools to enhance productivity while reducing exposure to external shocks. He underscored that the initiative aligns with the Foundation’s broader objective of promoting sustainable and resilient rural livelihoods.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, highlighted that the integration of early detection mechanisms into farm operations can significantly reduce yield losses and protect food systems from climate vulnerabilities. He noted that the initiative holds the potential to prevent substantial economic losses resulting from crop damage.

The programme will also include socio-economic assessments to evaluate improvements in farm productivity, yield stability, and ecological sustainability in project areas.

The SMART-CROP initiative reinforces the commitment of SBI Foundation and ICRISAT to advancing climate-smart agriculture and supporting India’s smallholder farmers through innovation, science, and targeted capacity-building interventions.