A groundbreaking pilot project using artificial intelligence for crop monitoring has shown remarkable results in three Terai districts. Farmers in Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi have reported a 30 percent increase in rice yields after adopting the AI-driven system.

The project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by a Nepali tech startup AgriSense, uses satellite imagery and ground-based sensors to provide real-time recommendations on irrigation, fertilizer application, and pest management.

Over 5,000 farmers have enrolled in the program, receiving alerts and guidance through a simple SMS-based system that works on basic mobile phones. The technology has been particularly effective in predicting and preventing crop diseases.

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to expand the project to all 20 Terai districts by next planting season, with an investment of 3 billion rupees from the national agricultural modernization fund.