The Karnataka Department of Agriculture is set to upgrade its ‘Raita Kare’ Kendra with advanced technologies, including machine intelligence and machine learning, to provide swift and effective solutions to farmers’ problems.
The ‘Raita Kare Kendra’, which operates daily from 8 am to 7 pm, currently handles around 450 calls daily from farmers across the state. This number increases to 600-700 during crop insurance payment periods. Farmers seek advice on various issues such as crop surveys, PM Kisan schemes, sowing, rainfall, weather, and pest management.
To enhance the centre’s capabilities, officials are exploring advanced technologies to automatically connect farmers with relevant experts. Director G.T. Putra explained that data from websites like Bhumi and the Fruit ID portal, as well as software like e-Sap, will be used to upgrade the farmer call centre.
Shivanagowda, a farmer from Takkalaki, commended the helpline and suggested that increased publicity and more farmer-friendly features would be beneficial. This upgrade is part of the state’s broader efforts to integrate technology into agriculture, following initiatives like Microsoft’s collaboration with the Karnataka government to utilise AI for digital agriculture.
Key Features of the Upgrade:
- Automated Expert Connection: Farmers will be linked to experts in specific fields for personalised guidance.
- Advanced Data Analysis: Utilisation of data from various sources to provide informed solutions.
- Enhanced Call Centre: Improved infrastructure to manage increased call volumes efficiently.
This development is expected to revolutionise the agricultural landscape in Karnataka, empowering farmers with technology-driven solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability.