Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella recently praised the Agriculture Development Trust (ADT) of Baramati, Maharashtra, for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into farming to benefit local farmers. During his visit to Baramati, Nadella expressed his satisfaction with how ADT was using AI tools to improve agricultural practices.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Nadella wrote, “It was great to meet the team at ADT Baramati today, who are using our AI tools to help farmers grow healthier, more sustainable harvests.”
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar also reacted to Nadella’s post, expressing gratitude for his recognition of AI's potential in agriculture. In his own post on X, Pawar stated, “Thank you Satya Nadella for highlighting the benefits of AI for agriculture. We at ADT Baramati are committed to bringing the latest technologies to farmers so they can benefit from them and are dedicated to working with Microsoft to ensure these technologies are put to the best use possible.”
Established in the 1970s, ADT Baramati has played a key role in modernizing farming in the drought-prone regions of Maharashtra. With a focus on sustainability, it introduced innovations such as drip irrigation, soil-less farming, and improved livestock breeding methods. Today, ADT serves over 1.6 million farmers, and its annual event, Krushik, brings together more than 200,000 farmers from across India to explore new farming techniques.
At the January 2024 Krushik farmers' event, ADT launched its ambitious “Farm of the Future” project, showcasing AI-driven advancements across crops like sugarcane, tomatoes, and okra. Among the crops tested, sugarcane showed remarkable improvements, with taller, thicker stalks and a 20% increase in sucrose content. These advancements were made possible by AI, which analyzes weather, soil, and satellite data to optimize farming practices.
Microsoft’s AI tools, including the open-source FarmBeats platform, have revolutionized farming by providing real-time insights on water usage, pest infestations, and crop health. The AI system, integrated into a user-friendly mobile app, helps farmers make informed decisions in local languages like Marathi, Hindi, and English. By simplifying complex data, the system ensures that farmers can take actionable steps to improve their yields.
Earlier, Nadella also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Prime Minister expressed his happiness upon learning about Microsoft's ambitious expansion and investment plans in India. During the meeting, they discussed various aspects of technology, innovation, and AI.
