GUNTUR, SEPTEMBER 21, 2026 (JOURNALIST FILE): The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things sensors and smart irrigation systems with agriculture can help improve farm productivity, optimise the use of natural resources and strengthen climate resilience, experts said at a national workshop that began at Vasireddy Venkatadri Institute of Technology (VVIT) on Monday.
The five-day national-level workshop on “Next Generation Agriculture” is being organised by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), VVIT, with the support of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation. Students and faculty members from colleges and universities across the country are taking part in the programme.
VVIT Pro-Chancellor Vasireddy Mahadev said the workshop was designed to examine how emerging technologies could be applied to contemporary agricultural challenges. He said interaction between technology and agriculture was becoming increasingly important as farmers faced pressures related to productivity, resource availability and environmental sustainability.
Dr. V.M. Chowdary, Director of the Agriculture Science Applications Group at ISRO, Hyderabad, was the chief guest at the inaugural session.
Speaking at the programme, Dr. Chowdary said technology-enabled farming could help farmers move towards more precise management of crops and agricultural inputs.
He said IoT sensors installed in agricultural fields could continuously measure parameters such as soil moisture and nutrient levels. The information could be transmitted to farmers through mobile phones, allowing them to make decisions based on field conditions rather than relying only on conventional methods.
Smart motors could further improve irrigation efficiency by supplying water at the required time and in the appropriate quantity, Dr. Chowdary said. He explained that such systems could strengthen the effectiveness of drip irrigation while helping minimise unnecessary water consumption.
AI applications in agriculture
Artificial intelligence could also play a growing role in agricultural planning, he said. AI-based systems could analyse weather-related information and assist farmers in determining suitable periods for sowing, fertiliser application and other crop-management activities.
Such technology could be particularly useful as changing weather conditions create uncertainties for farmers, Dr. Chowdary said.
He also discussed the role of digital marketing in improving access to agricultural markets. Digital platforms could help farmers connect more directly with buyers, reduce dependence on intermediaries and improve transparency in the sale of agricultural produce, he said.
The expert said the combination of sensor-based monitoring, AI-driven analysis, automated irrigation and digital market access could form an important part of the next generation of agricultural systems.
VVIT officials said the workshop would provide participants with exposure to emerging technologies and their potential applications in agriculture. The programme is also intended to encourage interaction among students, faculty members and researchers working in technology-related fields.
VVIT Registrar Dr. Y. Mallikarjun Reddy, Academic Dean Dr. K. Giribabu, Research and Development Director Dr. M.Y. Bhanumurthy, ECE Department Head Dr. Shaik Inayathul Haq, workshop convenor Dr. Mahaboob Basha, faculty members and students attended the inaugural session.
The five-day workshop will feature discussions and learning sessions centred on technology-driven agriculture, precision farming, smart irrigation, artificial intelligence, IoT applications and sustainable agricultural practices.
