The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has implemented a comprehensive Network Program on Precision Agriculture (ICAR-NePPA) involving 16 research institutes developing advanced technologies aligned with international best practices. The program focuses on spatio-temporal monitoring of crop and soil health, sensor-based post-harvest quality management for mango, banana, pulse and rice, IoT-based precision vertical farming, sensor-based aquatic environment monitoring for aquaculture, and IoT-enabled livestock health monitoring.
ICAR has developed and validated numerous precision technologies including sensor-based irrigation, IoT-enabled environmental monitoring, drone-based spraying, AI-enabled precision planters, remote sensing and GIS applications, drip fertigation, poly-mulching, raised-bed cultivation, and automated livestock management systems. Notably, ICAR developed a tank-based super-intensive precision shrimp farming system yielding 120–150 tonnes/ha/year over three annual cycles with smart automation and strict biosecurity.
The promotion of precision agriculture occurs through development of AI-, IoT- and ICT-enabled decision support systems, drone usage for crop monitoring and input application, remote sensing and GIS for resource mapping, sensor-based irrigation and fertigation systems, precision nutrient management using enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, and establishment of a Remote Pilot Training Organisation at Dehradun for UAV/drone training. Specific technologies developed include smart micro-irrigation systems, variable rate fertilizer applicators, AI & IoT enabled jute grading systems, SPAD meter 2.0 for leaf chlorophyll measurement, IoT cold room monitoring, aflatoxin detection in maize, blockchain-enabled banana supply chain monitoring, and digital twin-based fruit quality monitoring.
The program has conducted extensive demonstrations with 38,402 agri-drone demonstrations covering 41,280 hectares and involving 454,083 farmers. Precision agriculture technologies have demonstrated remarkable results: precision irrigation technologies increased cropping intensity from 137% to 272%, doubled crop diversification index (0.40 to 0.80), increased average monthly farmer income from ₹4,644 to ₹19,676, and reduced CO₂ emissions by 40.5 tonnes annually. In Goa, precision technologies increased rice and cowpea yields by 4.69% and 6.58% respectively while reducing irrigation water use by 92.9% and labor requirement by 95%. Farm pond systems increased yields by 20–55%, while polyhouse cultivation with automated drip irrigation generated net returns of ₹2.72 lakh per 15 gunta with a B:C ratio of 4.57.
In Bihar, integration of raised beds, drip fertigation and poly-mulching improved nutrient-use efficiency by 30–85%. Drip irrigation and protected cultivation reduced water requirement by 70–80%, while hydroponics reduced water use by up to 90%. Drone-based foliar application improved yields by 4–5%, reduced spraying costs by 15%, enabled one-acre spraying in 6 minutes using only 9.5 litres of water and 0.5 litre of nano-fertilizer.
For livestock management, AI integration provides predictive disease control through ICAR-NIVEDI's satellite and AI-based early warning systems that forecast 15 livestock diseases up to two months in advance. Wearable IoT sensors monitor real-time body temperature, rumination activity, and estrus cycles. These technologies can detect physiological stress 5–12 days before clinical symptoms appear, reducing veterinary expenses by 20–40% and improving artificial insemination success rates by 15–30%. Smart microclimate control and precision feed management can enhance milk yields by up to 18%.