With AI, Satara Farmers Will Grow Sugarcane Using Less Water, Fertilizer & Labour

The use of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the current information technology era has made great progress in the digital sector. AI is now also being used in the agricultural sector. New changes are taking place in the agricultural sector, and it is also being accepted by the farmers.

In a first for Maharashtra, sugarcane will be cultivated using smart farming technology on 100 hectares in Nisrale village, Satara district. The initiative, led by the State Agriculture Department, will use weather stations, soil sensors, and modern irrigation techniques to boost crop yield, reduce water usage, and cut farming costs—offering a model for farmers across the region.

The State Agriculture Department has taken the initiative for this, and on this occasion, AI is being used for the first time in Maharashtra. It cannot be ruled out that the farmers of the district and neighboring districts will also follow this initiative in Satara district in the near future.

The use of AI in sugarcane farming is being started in Nisrale from the concept of the Agriculture Department of Satara district. Initially, this technology is being used on 100 hectares of area in Nisrale village. In this regard, a meeting of more than a hundred farmers of the village has been held and discussions have also been held with them. In this meeting, the farmers have also agreed to experiment with AI, preferring it.

This will be the first experiment of AI in Satara district. In this, the farmers of the village have also actively participated, and the State Agriculture Department has played a big role in this. Also, a proposal in this regard will be given to the District Planning Committee. Some amount will be spent for this.

If experiments are to be conducted in the agricultural sector through AI, it will be easy to save labor, water, time, etc. One such experiment is being conducted in Nisrale village through the medium of a weather station and soil fertilizer and sensors.

What will happen due to 'AI'?

The introduction of AI in sugarcane farming is expected to bring multiple benefits for farmers. It will help reduce production costs, minimize wastage of pesticides, and ensure more efficient application of fertilizers and medicines. Most importantly, it will lead to significant water savings—up to 40%—especially in water-intensive crops like sugarcane. The Agriculture Department projects a boost in productivity, with per-acre yields expected to rise to 112 tons. In fact, 10 to 12 farmers in Nisrale have already achieved over 100 tons per acre. Previously, in July 2023, the farmers were introduced to Super Cane technology, which further contributed to improved output. With AI-backed farming, increased efficiency and profitability are becoming a reality for Satara’s farmers.