AI Meets Farming: Smart Agriculture App Enhances Crop Monitoring
Across the wheat fields of Punjab, a new era of farming is unfolding. Drones patrol the sky while AI-powered apps replace traditional farming methods, offering farmers precise insights into crop health, fertilization, and irrigation—all accessible through a smartphone or tablet.
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Muhammad Taj, a farmer from Gujranwala, shares his experience: “Previously, I could only assess my fields at harvest time. Now, with Kisan360, I monitor crop health regularly and address issues early, leading to higher yields and fewer losses.”
Developed under the China-Pakistan cooperation project High Throughput Crop Monitoring using Computer Vision for Climate Smart Agriculture, funded by the World Bank and ADPC, Kisan360 is revolutionizing farming in Punjab. According to Dr. Wu Jun, the Chinese project leader, the app leverages satellite data and drone imagery for real-time crop monitoring, optimizing water and nitrogen usage to enhance cultivation practices.
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Initially met with skepticism, the project gained acceptance after offering guides and audio-visual materials in local languages. Dr. Saqib Ali, a researcher at the China-Pakistan Joint Lab for AI & Smart Agriculture, explained that Kisan360 is now live on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store, with 1,000 farmers already onboard.
A key innovation of the app is its ChatBot, powered by DeepSeek, which provides customized farming insights tailored to Pakistan’s agricultural conditions. Currently in the testing phase, it is being fine-tuned to address local challenges, such as extreme weather and water shortages.
Dr. Sultan Habibullah Khan from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, emphasizes the significance of AI-driven farming in Pakistan’s current agricultural landscape. The China-Pakistan Joint Lab plans to expand the app’s reach across the country within two years, aiming to make AI a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan.
