Chatbot in Punjabi launched to assist farmers in stubble management

As the infamous ‘stubble-burning’ season begins, Saanjh Punjab, a coalition of leading organisations committed to advancing climate-resilient agriculture, today presented its seminal report, ‘Listening to Farmers on CRM Machinery’ and launched a chatbot that will assist farmers in real time with information on paddy straw management.

The chatbot, developed by A2P Energy, provides a simple, conversational interface in Punjabi, enabling farmers to book crop residue management (CRM) machinery, access soil health information and receive guidance on crop diversification and management. By bridging knowledge gaps and reducing dependency on intermediaries, the tool aims to make expert support immediately accessible, strengthening both productivity and resilience on the ground.

Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh; Undleeb Roy Aujla, wife of Amritsar MP Gurjeet Aujla); and Chairman of Improvement Trust, Karamjeet Singh Rintu jointly unveiled Saanjh Punjab’s report during an event in Khalsa College for Women today.

The study presents the most comprehensive mapping to date of CRM machinery utilisation across 10 districts of Punjab, highlighting patterns of access, persistent barriers and opportunities to improve adoption of sustainable practices. The chatbot is designed by Sukhmeet Singh, the founder and CEO of Chandigarh-based A2P Energy Solution Private Limited.

Sukhmeet said, “This pilot chatbot brings real-time support directly to farmers’ phones — helping them manage crop waste, improve soil health and make smarter farming decisions. It can assist with booking CRM machinery, connecting to soil testing centres or simply offering trusted crop advice. Simple, conversational, and in Punjabi, it’s designed to make technology truly farmer-first and accessible to all.”

Dr Manish, an agro-scientist from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) which is a non-profit research organisation promoting sustainable and diverse farming systems and climate-smart agriculture, noted that the findings highlight the need for complementary support systems alongside technology. “Machinery alone cannot solve the challenge of stubble burning. Farmers need training, timely services and accessible advice. With this chatbot, support is now available at their fingertips, helping them adopt sustainable practices with confidence.”

Highlighting the deeper ecological and cultural context, Umendra Dutt of Kheti Virasat Manch said, “Crop residue management is not just about machines. It’s about restoring the bond between a farmer and his fields. This initiative shows that when the right technology is combined with trust in farmers, we nurture healthier soil, cleaner water and greater dignity.”

Ajay Malik from IPS Foundation underlined the importance of bridging the policy-practice divide. “Farmers often face gaps between government schemes and what actually reaches them on the ground. By pairing this report with a practical tool like the chatbot, we are providing solutions that are responsive and accessible to farmers at the grassroots

level,” he said.

Gurpreet Kaur of Clean Air Punjab, said, “Farmers repeatedly tell us their biggest problems are not having the right machine at the right time, not knowing where to turn for soil testing or lacking quick answers to crop-related queries. This chatbot is designed to respond directly to those needs, linking farmers with tools, guidance and expert support in real time, making help accessible and immediate.”

The launch event also featured a performance of “Dhua” by Theaterwala, a play that vividly captures the hardships and resilience of Punjab’s farmers in confronting crop residue burning, environmental stress and declining soil health.

“Dhua shows the real challenges Punjab’s farmers face — delays in machinery, uncertainty on soil health and lack of timely guidance. We tried showcasing how this chatbot responds directly to those struggles, giving farmers actionable support in real time, helping them make informed decisions and overcome the barriers,” said Reena from Theatrewallah.