AI agriculture next big thing in Haryana with Karnal-Japan collaboration

A three-member delegation of Kochi University, Japan, on Wednesday visited Maharana Pratap Horticulture University (MHU), Karnal, to finalise the collaborative research programme to address the growing challenges posed by climate change in agriculture. They have chalked out an action plan to enhance the productivity and quality through advanced research on precision farming involving Internet of Plants (IoP) and artificial intelligence (AI) for guidance in accurate decisions in successful horticulture crop production.

Both the universities had signed MoU last year in the presence of the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini in Chandigarh, following this MoU the delegation visited Karnal’s institute.

Delegation led by Kochi University’s vice-president Dr Ishizuka Satoshi, met MHU Vice-Chancellor Prof Suresh Malhotra and other senior scientists and discussed various steps to further strengthen academic and research collaboration between the two institutions.

Prof Malhotra briefed the Japanese delegation in detail about the university’s research, academic and extension activities. He also discussed future collaboration under the MoU signed between the MHU and Kochi University.

Prof Malhotra said both the universities finalised projects being carried out under the existing MoU, including IoP and other related initiatives. Scientists at the MHU are currently working to give these projects their final shape.

Key areas of discussion included climate change, adoption of advanced horticultural technologies, supply of improved plant varieties and quality seeds to farmers and expanding joint research initiatives. The focus remained on promoting knowledge exchange so that farmers in both countries could benefit from modern technologies.

Prof Malhotra also informed the delegation about various schemes being implemented by the Government of India to promote horticulture farming. He said that these initiatives are directly benefiting farmers and contributing to increased horticulture production across the country and the state.

“Science and Technology has the solution to emerging challenges in horticulture. Kochi University and MHU will work together to evolve solutions in protected cultivation using sensor and AI-based solutions. In order to fulfil the increasing demand of nutritious horticulture based foods for the Haryana population,” said the vice-president of Kochi University.

A joint working group of both the universities visited Horticulture Research Farm and College, Anjanthali, where research works related to fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and medicinal plants were observed, said Prof Malhotra. The delegation also inspected the under-construction main campus of the MHU during their visit and finalised the site where research work will start soon.