In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoAFW) has harnessed artificial intelligence (AI) to provide early weather forecasts directly to farmers. Nearly 3.8 crore farmers across 13 states received SMS-based AI monsoon forecasts through the m-Kisan platform this year, enabling them to plan their Kharif crops more effectively.
The press release issued by the Ministry states that the forecasts—available up to four weeks in advance—helped farmers prepare for rainfall variability and adapt to risks. Notably, the AI-based models accurately predicted the 20-day pause in monsoon progression this season, allowing the Ministry to send weekly updates until continuous rains resumed.
Additional Secretary Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda highlighted that the program empowers farmers with confidence to manage agricultural risks. Joint Secretary Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal emphasized that as climate change increases weather variability, such forecasts will be vital for adaptation.
The forecasts were powered by Google’s Neural GCM and ECMWF’s Artificial Intelligence Forecasting Systems (AIFS), which significantly outperformed traditional models. Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer praised the initiative as a global model, noting it places “farmers first in the age of AI.”
With support from NITI Aayog, Development Innovation Lab–India, and Precision Development, the Ministry ensured that forecasts were delivered in simple, actionable language. Experts believe this program could usher in a new era of AI-enabled agriculture, strengthening India’s food security and farmer livelihoods.