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HomePosts Tagged "Kailash Choudhary"
AgroPolicy, Agrotech, IT

Currently, the Chatbot is available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, and Tamil. In a short period, it will be available in all 22 languages of the country.

Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India launched AI Chatbot for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme at New Delhi. The launch of AI Chatbot marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and reach of the PM-KISAN scheme, and also providing farmers prompt, clear, and accurate responses to their queries.

Launching the AI Chatbot, Choudhary said the AI Chatbot will help in accessing scheme information and resolving grievances. He also called upon the need to widen the service to link it with other related issues like weather information, soil conditions and bank payments etc. The minister complemented the Ministry officials for onboarding the technology in a short span of time and added that it will ease the burden for agriculture officials at the Centre and states.

During the virtual event, dignitaries from the Government of India and the State Government gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in the agricultural sector. The successful launch of the AI Chatbot for PM KISAN scheme reaffirms the Government’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements for the welfare of farmers.

 Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Family Welfare noted that the AI chatbot will also be implemented for other major schemes of the Ministry in coming months.  Pramod Mehreda, Addl. Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Family Welfare made a detailed presentation on the features of Chatbot and its benefits for farmers.

The AI Chatbot acts as a comprehensive guide for the beneficiaries, providing them with timely and accurate responses to their queries related to the scheme. This is the first AI Chatbot integrated with a major flagship scheme of the Union government. It has been developed and improved with the support of EKstep foundation and Bhashini. The introduction of the AI chatbot in the PM-KISAN grievance management system is aimed at empowering farmers with a user-friendly and accessible platform. In its first phase of development, the AI chatbot will assist farmers in seeking information related to their application status, payment details, ineligibility status, and other scheme-related updates. The AI Chatbot, accessible through the PM KISAN mobile app, is integrated with Bhashini, which offers multilingual support, catering to the linguistic and regional diversity of the PM KISAN beneficiaries. This integration of advanced technology will not only enhance transparency but will also empower farmers to make informed decisions.

Currently, the Chatbot is available in English,

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, Climate, R&D

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi (ICAR-CMFRI) has developed a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunity related to post-COVID complications, named as CadalminTM Immunalgin.

The product was released by the Chief Guests Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, at a function during the ICAR Foundation and Technology Day.

The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceuticals, which is a 100 per cent natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology. Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the ICAR-CMFRI led the research works to develop the product.

The product is a synergistic combination of

AgroPolicy, Environment, Nature, Sustainability

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare highlighted the importance of Life Style for the Environment and stressed chemical-free farming

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organised an event on Mission LiFE on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’ at Dr C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC Pusa, New Delhi.  The program began with tree plantation activity on the premises of the venue by Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with other dignitaries. Manoj Ahuja, Secretary DA&FW, Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare were present at the event along with a staff of ICAR and DA&FW, FPOs, Agri-start-ups, Students, Scientists, Officers and Farmers from various States. This was followed by the inauguration of an exhibition on Natural and Organic Farming showcasing and creating awareness of the sustainable agricultural practices symbolising Mission LiFE.

The program was inaugurated by Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, by lighting the lamp.  In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of Life Style for the Environment and stressed chemical-free farming as one important option for sustaining the resources for future generations. He emphasised the adoption of Mission LiFE in agriculture to address the adverse impact of climate change. Quoting the example of Rajasthan, he mentioned that the state is having pre-monsoon showers more frequently than in earlier years. Untimely and heavy rains are causing distress to the farming community. Farmers are highly vulnerable to climate change. Keeping this in mind ICAR developed 1750 climate-resilient varieties after 2016 and these have the potential to give normal yields under adverse conditions in vulnerable areas. He also stressed upon recycling of wastes in agriculture as it is the best example of the circular economy. He emphasised that we should all take care in day-to-day life to save resources. Then, he administered the pledge on Mission LiFE with all the audience present at the event.

In his address, Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW briefed on the global temperatures rise from the pre-industrial era and its direct and indirect impacts on agriculture and allied sectors. Maintenance of soil health through natural and organic practices having a beneficial effect on soil flora and fauna is leading to better availability of nutrients in the soil. He also mentioned the saving of water through the adoption of Per Drop More Crop as India consumes more water for irrigation compared to other countries. There is a need to adopt all the 7 principles of MissionLiFE in day-to-day agricultural practices besides making policy towards sustainable agriculture.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers

AgroPolicy, India, IT, Sustainability

With the launch of the module, claims will be disbursed electronically, which will benefit the respective farmers of six states

Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, launched the National Crop Insurance Portal’s digitised claim settlement module namely DigiClaim under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. With the launch of the module, claims will be disbursed electronically, which will benefit the respective farmers of six states. Now, the automated claim settlement process will be an ongoing activity to ease all insured farmers’ lives and provide them with a sustainable financial flow and support.

Besides Tomar, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Kailash Choudhary, Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, CEO, PMFBY Shri Ritesh Chauhan and other senior officials were also present. CMDs of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd and SBI General Insurance were also present including representatives of National Insurance Company (NIC), HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz, Reliance GIC, ICICI Lombard, Future Generali, IFFCO Tokio, Cholamandlam MS, Universal Sompo and TATA AIG. Representatives from SBI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Yes Bank were also present at the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Tomar said that it is a matter of pride for our Ministry to have taken a revolutionary step in ensuring that farmers can receive claim amounts digitally in a timebound and automated manner, thereby making our farmers Aatmanirbhar and Sashakt.

With the launch of a DigiClaim Module, insurance claims totalling Rs 1260.35 crore have been disbursed on March 23, 2023, to insured farmers in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana with the click of a button, and the process will continue as and when the claims are released. The Union Minister also mentioned that to date Rs 1.32 lakh crore claim amount has been disbursed to the insured farmers under PMFBY. He also took special note of the ‘Meri Policy, Mere Haath’ ongoing campaign and observed that the campaign has been monumental in enhancing the awareness around PMFBY at the grassroots level.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Tomar said that the Government of India is closely working with all exited states from the scheme and have had discussions with their senior officials in which Andhra Pradesh and Punjab are making a comeback to the scheme, which shows a shining example of corporative federalism. Governments of Telangana, Gujarat, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand have also been approached to rejoin PMFBY and several discussions have been underway. Out of these states, Telangana and Jharkhand have indicated their willingness to come back under PMFBY.

With the launch of the module, claims

Agrotech, Company News, India, R&D, Sustainability

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”

CropLife India, one of the leading associations of domestic and multinational R&D driven crop science companies, organised a two-day national conference on the occasion of its 42 AGM, which witnessed the congregation of the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, agriculture ministers from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka, senior government officials, experts and industry leaders.

The theme of the conference was “Sustainable Growth of Agriculture for Self-Reliant India” and the inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation during ‘Amrit Kaal’ – Role of Crop Protection”. A special plenary session on the “Perspectives of State Governments” focussed on the achievements in agriculture in the four key states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana and Karnataka.

In his inaugural address, Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, shared that “There is utmost need to employ the latest technology for agriculture and enhance farmer awareness about the same. Drone technology can play a big role as it offers multiple benefits like spraying of agrochemicals, determination of amount of fertilisers and nutrients to be used, among others.”

Surya Pratap Shahi, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, opined that the crop protection industry should continue to develop greener chemistries for sustainable growth. He also invited the crop protection industry to invest in Uttar Pradesh which is on a trajectory towards becoming a food basket of the country as well as the world.

Commenting on the resources required for boosting agriculture, S. Niranjan Reddy, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Telangana, said, “The biggest task of mankind is to keep the soil healthy for better human health and wellness. Water conservation is essential for agriculture and Telengana is the first state to implement Watershed program in 1983-84. Under Mission Kakatiya, 46000 water tanks and water bodies in Telangana have been restored. Due to concerted efforts, water has brought about the biggest revolution in Telangana.”

Kamal Patel, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Madhya Pradesh, said, “Madhya Pradesh has been taking many key initiatives like insurance to safeguard the interests of small holder farmers and make the farmers self-reliant”. Patel also invited industry to work with the state government on stewardship and other initiatives.

B. C. Patil, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Karnataka government has increased the reservation of students from the families of farmers in admissions to B.Sc. Agriculture, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. The total number of reserved seats for this category of students in agriculture universities is 1230 while the total intake is 2460 in the state.”

Dr K. C. Ravi, Chairman, CropLife India, said, “There is a need for a predictable, stable and science-based policy and regulatory regime for the proper growth of the crop protection sector; which promotes innovation and new product introduction to address the current and upcoming challenges faced by farmers while paving the way with introduction of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and drones.”

CropLife India is an association of 16 R&D driven member companies in crop protection and jointly represent 70 per cent of the market and are responsible for 95 per cent of the molecules introduced in the country.

Inaugural session was centred around “Agriculture Transformation