ITC's AI-Based Crop Advisory Platform Boosts Farmer Incomes and Reduces Fertilizer Use
The International Trade Centre (ITC) has highlighted its AI-based Crop Advisory Platform, ITCMAARS, on the International Day of Plant Health. Launched in 2022, the platform assists farmers in identifying crop diseases and pest infestations through an AI-based feature called 'Crop Doctor'. This tool supports up to 70 crops and has been utilized over 300,000 times, providing guidance on chemical, biological, and mechanical crop management practices in regional languages. The platform also includes features such as a Crop Calendar, Fertiliser Calculator, and 'Krishi Mitra', an AI-powered advisory tool developed with Microsoft. ITCMAARS has reached approximately 2.5 million farmers and 2,180 Farmer Producer Organizations across 11 states. According to ITC, the initiative has contributed to a 10-15% reduction in fertilizer use and a 15-20% increase in crop yields, resulting in a 25% rise in farm incomes. 
