Wadhwani AI receives $3.3m Google.org grant for AI-powered pest detection

Photo credit: Wadhwani AI

India-based nonprofit Wadhwani AI has secured a US$3.3 million grant from Google.org, the search engine giant’s philanthropic arm, to scale its AI technology for agriculture.

The grant is part of the AI for the Global Goals Impact Challenge, a US$25 million initiative aimed at supporting projects that use AI to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Funding details

• Funding amount: US$3,300,000
• Other investors: Google Inc.
• Stage: Grant
• Source

Wadhwani AI’s tech, which is available on the Cotton Ace app, uses pictures uploaded by farmers to detect pests and provide data-driven solutions to reduce crop damage. It also offers up-to-date information on the weather, farming methods, and crop prices based on the images.

The app has helped enhance crop productivity and farmers’ incomes across India, raising their profits by 20% and lowering pesticide expenses by 25%.

With the new grant, Wadhwani AI will extend its technology to protect staple crops like rice, wheat, and corn, which are vital for India’s food security and rural livelihoods.

The nonprofit will also create two language model-based apps that use reliable sources like agriculture research and government schemes.

See also: Profitable Indian agri-finance firm says its model can’t be replicated in SEA yet

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