Just a photo, a problem & a solution: how this free AI is helping India's farmers identify crop diseases early

When Shiv Kumar Yadav's mango saplings started showing signs of disease, he turned to his smartphone instead of guessing which pesticide might work - and got instant answers. Digital Green India's new FarmerChat app, launched in October 2024, uses artificial intelligence to diagnose crop diseases from photos and provide farmers with actionable solutions in real time. So far the free application has reached nearly a million users across India, helping smallholder farmers make faster, smarter decisions when problems strike. It's a brilliant example of how technology can bridge the gap between the vast agricultural knowledge that exists in India and the farmers who desperately need it in their pockets.