'AI, digital tools vital for modernising agriculture'
Visitors stand near a sign of artificial intelligence at an AI robot booth at Security China, an exhibition on public safety and security, in Beijing, China June 7, 2023. — REUTERS
Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani on Monday said modern digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital models were vital for transforming the agriculture sector and improving services for farmers.
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review proposals for using digital technologies to strengthen agricultural advisory services.
Punjab Agriculture Secretary Shakeel Ahmad Mian also attended the meeting.
The minister was briefed on an advanced crop-focused mobile application developed by Syngenta Pakistan.
The meeting was told that digitalisation could help provide farmers with timely and effective agricultural advice while facilitating the collection of data on crop growth and other key indicators.
Kirmani stressed the need to make farmer advisory services more effective and results-oriented through modern digital tools.
He said technology should be used to provide farmers with timely information and practical guidance to improve crop productivity.
Agriculture Secretary Shakeel Ahmad Mian said digital technologies could improve the early detection and diagnosis of crop diseases, enabling farmers to take timely corrective measures.
He said public-private partnerships could further strengthen digital agricultural services and added that the government would make full use of modern applications and AI-based technologies for the benefit of farmers.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for using advanced AI models to provide farmers with up-to-date agricultural information in line with modern requirements.