Smart Symbiotic Plants: New Future of Farming for Indian Farmers

In India, farming and farmers have always been the backbone of the country, but in today’s time farmers are facing many challenges. Problems like changing weather, water shortage, pest attack on crops, and expensive fertilizers are putting poor farmers in more trouble. In such a situation, science has started a new revolution in the field of farming – Smart Symbiotic Plants.

What are Smart Symbiotic Plants?

Smart symbiotic plants, i.e. ‘smart plants’, are genetically engineered plants that can communicate directly with humans. Scientists have developed a neural network in these plants, so that they can directly convey their needs to the farmers. That is, these plants can tell when they need water, which nutrients are lacking, or if there is any disease or pest attack, then they can also give information about it.

Challenges of Farming in India

85% of the farmers in India are small and marginal farmers who have less than 2 hectares of land. Such farmers are always in trouble due to the high cost of irrigation, fertilizers, and seeds. More than 60% of Indian farming depends on rain, and the lack of irrigation resources makes a big difference in crop production. In water-scarce areas, such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, farmers often suffer from drought. Amidst all these problems, smart symbiotic plants can come up as a new hope.

How do smart symbiotic plants work?

Smart symbiotic plants are a wonderful combination of scientific advancements and bio-electronic technology, which enable plants to communicate with humans. In the context of Indian agriculture, this technology is a solution to meet the real needs. Let’s see how this technology works and how it can be beneficial for Indian farmers.

1. Use of neural networks and sensors

Smart symbiotic plants use a special type of neural network or bio-electronic sensors. These sensors are fitted in the roots, stems, and leaves of plants, which are able to understand the biological signals of the plant and collect data based on them.

• Soil moisture sensors: Plants are able to understand how much water is available in the soil. When there is a shortage of water, these sensors alert farmers when they need to water.

• Nutrient monitoring: Sensors installed near the roots of the plant can measure the amount of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil. If any nutrient is low, the plant can inform the farmer about it.

• Monitoring environmental conditions: These sensors also monitor environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light around the plant, and if there is any disturbance, they can alert the farmer.

2. Data transmission and communication

Wireless technology is used to transmit the data from these plants to the farmers. Information from the sensors installed in the plants can be sent directly to the farmer’s smartphone or any other device.

• This data is visible in real-time through an app on the farmer’s mobile phone, allowing them to take immediate action.

• For example, if the plant needs water, a notification will appear on the app, allowing the farmer to irrigate on time.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data processing

This technology is not limited to sensors only, but also uses artificial intelligence (AI). The data received from the sensors is analyzed by AI-based systems, which helps in understanding what the demands of the plants are and what their needs may be.

• If the plant needs a particular nutrient, AI analyzes that information and suggests the right amount of fertilizer. This can save farmers from unnecessary use of fertilizers.

• Keeping in mind the uncertainties of the weather, AI can provide information about irrigation or other measures at a better time for the crop.

4. Precision Agriculture

Smart symbiotic plants work on the principle of precision agriculture, where efforts are made to increase crop production by making maximum use of resources.

• Farmers in India have to struggle with water shortage and high cost of fertilizers. With this technology, farmers can avoid unnecessary expenses. For example, if the crop needs water only in a particular area, then instead of irrigating the entire land, attention can be given only to that area.

5. Disease and pest control

In India, the attack of pests and diseases on the crop is a big problem. Many times the farmer comes to know when the crop has been affected to a great extent.

• Smart symbiotic plants can give early information about disease and pest attack. Sensors installed in the plant can detect any abnormalities in its biological process, such as discoloration of leaves, stunted growth, or other symptoms.

• If the plant is being attacked by pests, the plant can send signals like an alarm, allowing farmers to immediately take biological or insecticidal measures.

Smart symbiotic plants are beneficial for Indian farmers

1. Water saving: Water scarcity is the biggest problem in India. In many states, farmers are completely dependent on monsoon for irrigation. Smart symbiotic plants can tell farmers when and how much water is needed, so that unnecessary irrigation can be avoided. This will stop wastage of water and water resources can be utilized properly.

• 40% of agriculture in India is facing water scarcity. With this technology, water demand can be reduced by 20-30%.

2. Right amount of fertilizer: Often farmers use fertilizers by guessing, which damages the crop and also spoils the soil. Smart plants help the farmer to give the right fertilizer at the right time by telling their nutrient status. This can reduce the consumption of expensive fertilizers, which will reduce the financial pressure on poor farmers.

• Indian farmers spend about ₹ 70,000 crore on fertilizers every year. With the help of smart plants, this cost can be reduced.

3. Disease and pest identification: Smart plants can also give information about pest attacks and diseases on the crop in time, so that farmers can take immediate action. This will help farmers avoid crop damage and increase their production.

• In India, 15-25% of crop production is lost every year due to pests and diseases.

Will the technology of smart symbiotic plants be accessible to poor farmers?

The technology of smart symbiotic plants is likely to be accessible to poor farmers, but some important steps have to be taken for this. Initially, this technology can be expensive as it requires advanced sensors, data processing, and internet connectivity. It may be difficult for poor farmers to make these investments.

However, if the government and private companies provide subsidies and financial assistance to make this technology affordable, it can spread rapidly. The Government of India is already running several schemes to make agriculture technology-based, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and digitization efforts. Under these schemes, technologies like smart symbiotic plants can be made available to poor farmers.

Apart from this, cooperatives and agri-startups can also play an important role. They can make this technology available on a sharing basis, or on rent, so that small farmers can also use it.

If this technology is made simple and user-friendly and farmers are given training in its use, then it can be accessible to poor farmers as well.

A cutting-edge technology like smart symbiotic plants also comes with many challenges, especially in the Indian context. The first and biggest challenge is cost. This technology can still be expensive for small and marginal farmers. The initial investment requires expensive sensors, equipment and infrastructure, which poor farmers cannot afford.

The second challenge is the lack of technical knowledge. Many farmers in rural areas of India still lack digital and technical knowledge. The use of smartphones and the internet has increased, but understanding and properly using a complex technology like smart symbiotic plants can be difficult for many farmers.

Possible challenges associated with smart symbiotic plants

The third challenge is related to infrastructure. Many rural areas of India do not have proper internet and electricity, which can hinder the effective use of this technology. Smart plants require constant connectivity to work smoothly, which is not available everywhere.

The fourth challenge is time and experimental data. Since this technology is still in its initial stages, it may take time to fully implement it in the Indian agricultural system and see its benefits. Farmers will need reliable data and positive results to adopt it.

Despite these challenges, if they are taken care of, this technology can prove to be revolutionary for Indian farming. Smart symbiotic plants can be the solution to the problems of Indian farmers in the future, especially for small and poor farmers. This technology will not only make crop care easier but will also help in saving resources and increasing production. If this technology is implemented properly and its accessibility to farmers is ensured, then a new green revolution in the field of agriculture can be possible in India.