SRINAGAR, 21 April 2025: In a landmark initiative to modernize agriculture in the Himalayan region, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India, has approved a ₹42 crore project titled “Application of Electronics and ICT in Himalayan Region Crop Management.”
The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has been named the nodal institution, making it the first agricultural university in the country to be chosen for such a high-tech collaboration.
The ambitious Agri-Excellence Programme, sanctioned for four years, will bring together leading technology institutions including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Kolkata and Mohali, the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) in Durgapur and Ludhiana, and the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bangalore.
According to SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganie, this collaboration underscores the university’s pioneering role in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and precision agriculture. The university’s establishment of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (CAIML) and its joint BTech program with IIT Mandi were instrumental in securing this milestone project.
High-Tech Tools for Traditional Crops
The project will focus on three key crops of Jammu & Kashmir — saffron, walnut, and apple — and aims to integrate digital innovation at every stage of cultivation and post-harvest handling.
For saffron, robotic weeders, harvesters, and stigma separators will be developed alongside a model for soilless cultivation to enhance productivity.
Walnuts will benefit from a smart AI-driven harvester, automated segregation tools based on shell thickness, and rapid aflatoxin detection systems.
For apples, a non-invasive AI solution will be introduced to identify internal quality defects, aiming to improve market competitiveness and reduce post-harvest losses.
A New Era of Digital Farming
The project will also organize hackathons and innovation challenges to foster young talent and encourage the creation of scalable, region-specific agri-tech solutions.
C-DAC’s expertise in high-performance computing, blockchain, and cybersecurity, CMERI’s innovations in mechanical engineering and robotics, and CMTI’s contributions to Industry 4.0 technologies will combine to deliver a powerful ecosystem for digital agriculture in the Himalayas.
C-DAC has played a historic role in India’s tech advancement, notably developing the PARAM supercomputer. CMERI, under CSIR, and CMTI, operating under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, bring robust experience in smart manufacturing and engineering for sustainable development.
Acknowledgements and Vision
Prof. Ganie credited MEITY Secretary S. Krishnan, Additional Secretary Abhishek Singh, and senior officials including Sunita Verma and Om Krishan for their support in bringing the project to Kashmir. He also praised contributions from C-DAC Director A. S. Murty, CMTI’s Prakash Vinod, and CMERI representatives Pradeep Rajan and Dip Narayan Ray.
Gratitude was also extended to project Principal Investigator Prof. Syed Zameer Hussain, Co-PIs Showkat Rasool and Shabir Bhangroo, and associated scientists Prof. Junaid Nazir Khan and Prof. Sajad Baba for their tireless efforts.
Calling the initiative a “game-changer,” Prof. Ganie said the programme will provide a dynamic platform for students and researchers, linking local agricultural heritage with global technology frontiers.
Image credit: csm.tech
