IIT Ropar, ANNAM.AI, and Indian Institute of Soil Science join hands to drive AI-based Soil Health Mapping in the country
MoU Signed Between IIT Ropar, ANNAM.AI and ICAR-IISS Bhopal to Boost AI-based Soil Health Mapping
City Air News
May 19, 2025 11:30
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Ropar/Chandigarh, 19 May: A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in IIT Ropar on May 19, 2025 between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar’s Centre of Excellence in AI for Agriculture ANNAM.AI and the ICAR - Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), Bhopal. This collaboration aims to fast-track the development of AI-enabled soil health mapping tools, create a “Digital Soil Twin” framework and develop precision nutrient and fertilizer management approaches for sustainable and resilient agriculture.
The MoU was formally signed at IIT Ropar by Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, and Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty, Director, ICAR-IISS, in the presence of eminent dignitaries including Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Dean R&D, IIT Ropar; Dr. Pushpendra Pal Singh, Dean Corporate, Alumni, Placement & Strategies (CAPS), IIT Ropar; Dr. Radhika Trikha, Chief Operating Officer, iHub AWaDH; Dr. Nishant Sinha, Senior Scientist, ICAR-IISS; Dr. Mukesh K Saini, and Dr. Suman Kumar, along with their respective teams.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Monoranjan Mohanty stated, “This collaboration will help improve resource use efficiency, reverse land degradation, and implement smart agriculture practices in line with national and global priorities.”
The Memorandum of Understanding is intended to promote scientific and academic cooperation between IIT Ropar and ICAR-IISS in areas of mutual benefit to soil science and artificial intelligence, through developing field-deployable, and data-driven solutions focused on challenges related to soil health and precision nutrient management solutions, soil health mapping tools, a "Digital Soil Twin" framework, low-cost soil sensing tools, and early warning systems for soil degradation. The partnership will also promote collaboration in joint research, technology commercialization, capacity building and human resource development.
