NATIONAL PEST SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Agriculture)

Context: The Union Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS).

National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

• About: It is a digital initiative leveraging AI and machine learning to provide timely pest management advisories.
• Objective: It will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.

oAims to reduce farmers' reliance on pesticide retailers by promoting a scientific approach to pest management.

• Features:

oAI-Driven Pest Analysis: Utilizes AI tools to analyze the latest pest data, aiding farmers and experts in effective pest control and management.

oTechnological Innovation in Agriculture: The Centre is focused on bringing advanced agricultural technologies to farmers through platforms like NPSS.

oConnecting Scientists and Farmers: NPSS allows farmers to upload photos of infested crops, which are then analyzed by scientists for expert advice.

oAccurate Diagnosis and Treatment: The system ensures timely disease management, improving diagnosis and treatment accuracy, boosting farmer confidence, and increasing production.

oSoil Conservation: The platform helps in soil conservation and operates without the need for additional funding.