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AI-Driven NPSS: India’s Plan to Scale Up Crop Pest Surveillance

3 July 20251 min read
AGRICULTURE & RURALAI-Driven NPSS:India’s Plan toScale Up Crop PestSurveillance3 July 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

The Agriculture Ministry plans to take its AI-powered pest tracking tool nationwide to cut losses from pests, weeds and diseases, which run at 10-35% a year.

Key facts

  • Start: 15 August 2024; crops covered: 61.
  • Users now: about 30,000 farmers and extension workers; target: up to 146 million farmers.
  • Method: a farmer uploads a photo, computer vision names the pest, and tailored advice follows, which limits indiscriminate pesticide use.

Significance

  • Agriculture gives 18% of GDP and employs 46% of the population.
  • Supports food security, farmer income and inflation control.

Exam angle

  • Nodal ministry: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; technology: computer vision.

Test yourself

1. On which date was the AI-driven National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) launched?

NPSS was launched on 15 August 2024.

2. How many crops does the National Pest Surveillance System currently support for pest detection?

The system presently supports pest detection in 61 crops.

3. What range of annual crop loss is attributed to pests, weeds and diseases in the NPSS notes?

Annual losses were put at 10-35%.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 3 July 2025 (17 topics).

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