Telangana plans AI-enabled transactions in agri. market yards

The Telangana government is set to revolutionize agricultural market transactions in the state by implementing AI technology, according to Minister for Agriculture Tummala Nageswara Rao. Speaking at a meeting with agricultural marketing and agriculture departments on Monday, Rao announced that the AI-enabled system would be the first of its kind in the country and also serve as a model for other markets.

The proposed AI technology would meticulously monitor every step in the transaction process, from farmers entering the market with their produce right up to their exit. This includes recording all transactions, maintaining farmer details, allocating identity numbers to each batch/crop, assessing crop quality, fixing prices, conducting digital bidding, and recording payments. Additionally, the system would oversee the management of commission agents, traders, and price patterns, allowing for future cross-checking.

Rao urged the officials to study digital marketing systems already in place elsewhere in the country and recommended the inclusion of biometric attendance tracking within the new digital system. Closed-circuit cameras would also be installed to monitor godown maintenance and daily activities at the market yards. Digital screens would be set up to give farmers insights into prices in other regions.

Moving forward, Rao specifically mentioned the Koheda integrated fruit market and asked officials to complete at least the first phase of the AI integration by the following March. He expressed concern over the delay in initiating the tendering process, warning it could hinder the market's timely completion.