A team of farmers from Karnataka will visit Maharashtra in April this year to study Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based agriculture technologies adopted by the farmers of the neighbouring State.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers’ Association and Federation of State Farmers’ Organisations at its meeting held at PWD Guest House in Mysuru on Tuesday.

Association president Kurubur Shanthakumar said sugarcane farmers of Maharashtra have adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in agriculture, resulting increased production and reduced cultivation costs.

“This has led to higher profits for farmers,” Mr. Shanthakumar said, while sharing the information on the benefits of adopting AI technology in agriculture.

Mr. Shanthakumar said he had spoken over the phone with the farmers of Maharashtra, who have successfully adopted AI technology in farming to understand the system better. 

The information about these benefits has brought encouragement and happiness among farmers. When the matter was discussed at the farmers’ meeting held on Tuesday, the farmers enthusiastically agreed to visit and study the AI-based cultivation methods.

Hence, a decision was taken that a team of sugarcane farmers from Karnataka will visit Maharashtra in April this year to observe these AI-based farming practices.

SARFAESI Act

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the need for a campaign against the SARFAESI Act, which the farmers’ body described as a “death warrant” for farmers who had taken bank loans.

Emphasising the need for a farmers’ movement against the law, Mr. Shanthakumar said agricultural lands belonging to farmers may fall into the hands of capitalists and corporations if the Act is not repealed. Already hundreds of farmers have lost their land, he said.

While a protest will be held in front of the Reserve Bank of India next month to draw the attention of the Union government, Mr. Shanthakumar said the issue will also be raised at the farmers’ rally to be held at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on March 19.