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IITKGP’s FarmBot Brings Precision Agriculture to Indian Fields

Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have developed an innovative ground-based agricultural robot, FarmBot, aimed at revolutionizing the way Indian farmers manage crop health. Spearheaded by Professor Dilip Kumar Pratihar of the Mechanical Engineering Department, this initiative reflects the Institute's longstanding tradition of research excellence and its growing impact on real-world challenges.

FarmBot is a semi-automatic tracked mobile manipulator, designed to traverse varied agricultural terrains with ease. It uses camera-based image analysis to detect plant diseases in real time and administers targeted pesticide sprays accordingly. With three onboard pesticide tanks (each with a 4-liter capacity), a 360-degree rotating arm, and a robust crawler platform, the robot can cover approximately three meters per minute. It weighs around 50 to 60 kilograms and offers a continuous operation time of up to 1.5 hours on a full battery charge.

What sets FarmBot apart is its precision. Unlike aerial drones, which can suffer from image instability due to wind interference, this ground-based system offers steady, high-resolution visuals for more accurate disease detection and treatment. The result is more efficient pesticide use, improved crop yields, and significantly reduced health risks for farmers who traditionally handle pesticide application manually.

The concept originated in 2018 when Professor Pratihar presented the idea at a seminar hosted by C-DAC Kolkata. With subsequent funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the team—comprising PhD scholar Pradeep Nahak and project student Atanu Jana—built and refined the robot, filing for a patent in 2019. The patent was granted in 2024, a notable milestone that underscores the innovation’s uniqueness and potential for commercialization.

The first prototype was manufactured by TECHNIDO, and field trials are expected within the next six months. The research team is also actively seeking industrial partners to facilitate technology transfer and scale production.

For alumni of IIT Kharagpur, this development is another testament to the Institute’s enduring commitment to interdisciplinary innovation—melding mechanical engineering, robotics, and artificial intelligence to address pressing challenges in Indian agriculture. FarmBot not only reflects the technical ingenuity nurtured at the Institute but also highlights how IIT Kharagpur continues to lead in applying science for social impact.

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