PAU organises 21-day winter school on AI for water management

NEW DELHI: The soil and engineering department of the Punjab Agricultural University is hosting the winter school on artificial intelligence (AI) for water resource management in agriculture, which is being sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The winter school will be held for 21 days.

The winter school is being held under the mentorship of course director JP Singh, who is head of PAU soil and engineering department and course coordinators Chetan Singla and Amina Raheja, who are scientists. The inaugural session of the winter school was attended by the participants from various states of India, heads of the departments of the PAU College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (COAET) and faculty members.

PAU postgraduate studies dean Manav Indra Singh Gill was the chief guest on the occasion. He said the trainees will learn new skills and their application in the emerging field of AI, internet of things (IOT) and other digital technologies.

ICAR-ATARI director Parvender Sheoran, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, said, “AI is emerging as a new digital technology. Scientists should adopt the technology for agricultural growth considering its pros and cons.” Stating that water was a crucial resource, he underlined the need for its judicious use and management.

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In his presidential remarks, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology dean Manjeet Singh apprised the participants of the history of AI and its usage in different fields of agriculture. Highlighting the importance of winter school, JP Singh informed that various lectures on the emerging topic of “AI for water resource management in agriculture” will reform and transform the farming which at present was passing through pressing challenges.

Soil and engineering department scientist Amina Raheja welcomed the participants and gave an overview of the topics to be covered during this training programme.