“Bytes: Practical Research for CSR” is a series by Give Grants designed to decode and demystify the extensive social impact research and data available in the form of clear and actionable insights for CSR practitioners in India.”
Understanding the Problem
Low Agricultural Productivity
India’s agri sector is extensive, with nearly 60% of the country’s territory under cultivation, covering 175 million hectares. Of this, 141 million hectares are under crops. Despite significant progress in recent years, India lags behind other countries in terms of agricultural productivity.1 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that global food production needs to rise by 70% to meet the projected demand by 2050, highlighting the urgency of addressing productivity challenges in Indian agriculture.
Soil Degradation
Unsustainable agricultural practices have significantly degraded soil quality in India.2 Nearly 50% of the canal-irrigated regions are affected by salinization and alkalinization, resulting from overwatering and inefficient water management. Additionally, natural factors such as rain and wind continue to deteriorate soil in hilly, arid, and semi-arid areas. Furthermore, the intensive use of agricultural inputs — including over-tilling, fertilizers, pesticides, engineered seeds, and monocropping — has compounded the problem, leading to further soil degradation.3
Water Scarcity and Uncertainty
According to the World Bank and the FAO, only 42.3% of agricultural land in India is irrigated, with the remaining being rain-fed.4 This makes small and marginal farmers, who constitute over 80% of the farming population, particularly vulnerable to climate fluctuations.5 These farmers, with cultivable land of less than 2 hectares, have limited coping capacity and are severely affected by unpredictable rainfall patterns, temperature extremes, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods.6
Climate Change and Its Impact
Climate change poses a significant threat to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Research by The/Nudge Institute found that 63% of smallholder farmers cite climate as their top concern, with 70% experiencing crop loss due to variations in weather.7 Agriculture itself is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions.8 As the population and consumption increase, and other sources of emissions decrease, the agricultural sector’s share in causing climate change is expected to rise
What is Precision Agriculture?
What does IoT for agriculture mean?
How IoT helps farmers in India
Precision Monitoring and Resource Management
IoT technologies enable precise monitoring of various agricultural parameters such as soil moisture, crop health, and environmental conditions. This real-time data allows farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, leading to better crop management and higher yields. For example, sensors can monitor soil moisture levels, ensuring that water is used only when needed, thus conserving water and preventing over-irrigation.
Reducing Environmental Harm
Cost and Waste Reduction
Smart Irrigation and Fertilization
Enhanced Decision-Making and Automation
IoT Integration in Indian Agriculture through
Policy & Social Innovation
Snapshot of IoT Products, Providers and
Price in India - An Indicative List
| Product | Providers | Price | Value add |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Polyhouse / Protected Cultivation |
Multiple readymade or DYI models |
-INR 4L to 60L per acre depending on the level of automation
-Up to 50% subsidy on capex through NHB
|
90% lower water usage, higher yield compared to open-field techniques. Highly profitable for horticulture nursery/sapling preparation and off-season produce.. |
|
Drones |
Skylark Drones,
Thanos, General Aeronautics, XBotics,
Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd
|
-INR 3.6L to INR 15L
-75% to 100% funding availability under the Kisan Drone Scheme (KDS) on capex and rental
|
Crop yield measured at up to 97% accuracy. Patterns of health and growth assessed for early pest detection mitigating widespread crop damage. |
|
Irrigation systems |
Flybird Farm Innovations, Avanijal |
-INR 22k per piece
-55% subsidy on capex
|
Optimized water usage (time and volume) through automated irrigation systems. |
|
Sensors |
Fyllo, KhetiBuddy |
-INR 25k to INR 45k
-Currently no special subsidy
|
Up to 50-60% of input cost saving by controlled and prioritized delivery of water, fertilizer, and treatments. |
|
Apps / Data Management Solutions |
Cropin, Digital Green, Precision Agriculture for Development (PAD), BAIF Development Research Foundation, Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) |
-INR 10L to 50L per app
-No state subsidy is available
|
Access to information on weather forecasts, market rates, fertigation, and pest-disease management for timely data-driven decisions. |
Further Thinking for CSR Practitioners
- Current information dissemination and training through Krishi Vigyan Kendras and subsidies are insufficient to reach small and remote farmers. CSR projects can bridge this gap in partnership with the states.
- Additionally, there is a need to invest in pilot projects assessing barriers to the adoption of such technologies to improve the targeting of govt schemes.
Conclusion and Takeaways
An infographic showcasing the potential social, economic and environmental impact of IoT in precision agriculture
