Farmers often discover a pest problem only after crop damage becomes visible. By then, insects or diseases may have already spread across part of the field. Scientists are now testing digital systems that can help farmers monitor pest activity earlier and receive advice based on field information. A recent ICAR programme in Uttar Pradesh focused on using information and communication technology, or ICT, for pest surveillance and crop management.
The programme was organised by ICAR’s National Research Institute for Integrated Pest Management in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra-II, Sitapur. It focused on developing an ICT-enabled model village and using digital tools to support pest surveillance and advisory services. Farmers were introduced to mobile applications, GIS mapping, drones and predictive models that can support farm-level decision-making.
Pests can reproduce and spread quickly when weather and crop conditions favour them. Farmers who inspect their fields regularly may identify problems before major damage occurs. But manual monitoring can become difficult when farmers manage several plots or when pest populations increase rapidly.
Digital surveillance aims to improve this process.
Farmers and agricultural workers can collect field information and use digital systems to identify patterns. Scientists can then use this information to provide advice based on pest activity and local conditions. The ICAR programme described data-driven decision-making as an important part of improving pest management.
The goal is not to replace farmers’ observations. Farmers still need to visit their fields and check crops. Technology can help organise information and support faster decisions when used alongside regular field monitoring.
How ICT can support pest management
ICT covers digital tools used to collect, share and analyse information. In agriculture, these tools can connect farmers with scientists and extension workers. A farmer may report a pest problem through a digital platform, while experts can use field data to understand whether similar problems are developing in nearby areas.
The ICAR initiative in Sitapur focuses on ICT-based pest surveillance and advisory services. Farmers can potentially receive guidance based on pest observations rather than applying pesticides simply because other farmers are spraying their fields.
This approach can support integrated pest management. The farmer first needs to understand what pest is present and whether its population has reached a level that requires action. Technology can help improve the flow of this information.
The ICAR programme also highlighted drones and GIS mapping as useful tools for precision agriculture. GIS, or Geographic Information System, can help organise information based on location. This may allow agricultural workers to identify areas where a pest problem is increasing or where crops face different conditions.
Drones can also collect information from fields more quickly than manual inspection alone in some situations. But drones will not automatically identify every farm problem. The information collected must still be interpreted correctly. Farmers need advice from trained experts before making pest-management decisions based on digital images or data.
Technology works best when it supports scientific crop management.
Predictive models could help farmers prepare
One of the most important areas of digital agriculture is prediction. Scientists can use available information to examine patterns related to weather, crop conditions and pest activity. Predictive models may help estimate when a pest outbreak is more likely to occur.
This could give farmers time to inspect their crops more closely and prepare suitable management measures. The ICAR programme listed predictive models among the technologies that can guide precision-based agricultural decisions. The quality of a prediction depends on the quality of available data.
Local conditions can change quickly. Farmers should therefore treat digital predictions as decision-support tools rather than guarantees. A forecast should encourage closer field observation, not replace it.
Many small farmers do not have direct access to agricultural scientists when they need advice. Digital tools can help bridge part of this gap by improving communication between farmers, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research organisations.
A farmer may be able to share crop information faster and receive guidance without travelling long distances.
The wider ICAR push towards digital agriculture also includes the use of sensors, mobile applications and data-based farm monitoring. Digital systems can help farmers track crop conditions and improve decisions related to production and farm management.
Access remains an important challenge. Farmers need mobile connectivity, digital skills and reliable information.
A useful system must also be simple enough for farmers to use regularly.
Farmers should use technology with field knowledge
Digital farming tools can provide useful information, but farmers should avoid depending blindly on an application or automated alert.
Before taking action against a pest, farmers should confirm:
- Which pest is present
- How serious the infestation is
- Which crop stage is affected
- Whether beneficial insects are also present
- What control method local experts recommend
Incorrect identification can lead to unnecessary pesticide use. The aim of digital pest surveillance should be better decisions, not simply more spraying. Integrated pest management combines field observation, scientific advice and suitable control measures.
Technology can strengthen this process when it provides farmers with timely and reliable information.
Smart villages could become testing grounds
The Sitapur programme is part of a wider effort to test how digital agriculture can work at the village level.
A smart village model can bring together farmers, scientists and extension workers around common digital systems. Instead of introducing technology only to individual farms, the model can help researchers study how an entire farming community responds to digital tools.
The ICAR initiative focuses on using these technologies to improve farmer income and support sustainable crop management.
The results will depend on whether farmers continue using the tools and whether the advice improves farm-level decisions.
Technology must solve a real problem. For farmers, the main value of a digital pest alert is simple.
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