SBI Foundation Joins Hands with UAS Raichur and ICRISAT to Launch “SMART-CROP” Initiative

SBI Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the State Bank of India, has partnered with the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Agribridge to launch the SMART-CROP project, Sustainable Monitoring and Real-time Tracking for Crop Resilience and Optimal Practices.

The launch event, held today in Hyderabad, featured farmers from project locations participating both in-person and virtually, symbolizing the collaborative and inclusive nature of the initiative.

The three-year SMART-CROP project, supported under SBI Foundation's LEAP (Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme), aims to strengthen the resilience and productivity of over 8,000 smallholder farmers across the Karnataka (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur) and parts of Telangana (Sangareddy, Vikarabad).

Using cutting-edge technologies such as satellite imaging, remote sensing, and AI/ML-driven analytics, the project will provide real-time crop stress monitoring, enabling farmers to take preventive action against climate risks, pest and disease outbreaks, and soil health degradation.

Mr Sanjay Prakash, MD, SBI Foundation said, "Through the SMART-CROP project, we are taking a prudent step towards equipping our farmers with technology-driven solutions that enhance crop resilience, reduce risks, and promote climate-smart practices. This initiative underlines our commitment to building an ecosystem where innovation empowers farmers and ensures dignity, security and hope for farmers who face the brunt of climate change."

Ms Divya Devarajan, IAS, CEO, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), joined the launch and emphasized the importance of farmer-centric innovations to accelerate agricultural progress in India.

Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General, ICRISAT, remarked, "Partnerships are key to unlocking the true potential of Indian agriculture. I thank the SBI Foundation for venturing into this crucial area of crop stress, encompassing climate change, pest and disease prevention, and soil health. It not only reduces risk at the farm level but also has the potential to save billions of dollars in food losses."

Project Principal Investigators Dr A.G. Sreenivas, Head, Department of Entomology, UAS Raichur, and Dr Mamta Sharma, Principal Scientist and Lead Pathologist, ICRISAT, outlined the project's focus on real-time monitoring of pulse crops (chickpea and pigeonpea), digital inclusion of farmers for actionable intelligence, and farmer-participatory approaches for scaling integrated pest and disease management technologies. The project will also conduct socio-economic assessments to evaluate yield gaps, the impact of early detection tools, and agroecological benefits.

A session on technology applications and demonstrations was led by Mr Vishnu Gorantala, Co-Founder, and Mr Adarsh, Partner, Agribridge, showcasing the digital backbone of SMART-CROP.

The SMART-CROP project has significant potential for global impact in advancing sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. As the world seeks scalable models that secure agricultural livelihoods amidst climate uncertainty, SMART-CROP exemplifies an inclusive solution, leveraging innovation, grassroots learning, and institutional collaboration to benefit all stakeholders. Its replicable framework aligns well with global priorities on food security, rural development, and climate action, and offers a blueprint for other regions reliant on agriculture.

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