12 May 2026, New Delhi: ITC said its ITCMAARS digital agriculture platform is helping farmers identify crop diseases and pest infestations through an AI-based feature called ‘Crop Doctor’, which currently supports up to 70 crops.
According to the company, the ‘Crop Doctor’ tool uses AI and machine learning-based image analytics to help farmers detect plant diseases and receive crop management recommendations. ITC stated that the feature has been used over 3 lakh times and provides guidance on chemical, biological and mechanical crop management practices in regional languages through text and audio formats.
The company issued the statement on the occasion of the International Day of Plant Health, whose 2026 theme is “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security,” promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
ITC said the ITCMAARS platform, launched in 2022, has reached around 2.5 million farmers and 2,180 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across 11 states. Based on pilot estimates, the company claimed that the initiative has contributed to a 10–15% reduction in fertiliser use and a 15–20% increase in crop yields, resulting in an estimated 25% rise in farm incomes.
The platform also includes features such as a Crop Calendar, Fertiliser Calculator and ‘Krishi Mitra’, an AI-powered advisory tool developed with Microsoft. ITC said the platform supports eight Indian languages and provides information related to crops, weather, prices and government schemes.
S Ganesh Kumar, Chief Executive, Agri Business Division, ITC Ltd, said plant health and food security are linked, particularly in the context of climate change and pest risks, and that the company is working to provide technology-led advisory and crop management support to farmers through the ITCMAARS ecosystem.
Global Agriculture is an independent international media platform covering agri-business, policy, technology, and sustainability. For editorial collaborations, thought leadership, and strategic communications, write to pr@global-agriculture.com
