Google DeepMind Partnered With ICRISAT for AI Research
The organizations launched an open-source AI platform to accelerate the development of drought-resistant sorghum varieties.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Google DeepMind and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have partnered to create an open-source AI platform. This initiative aims to speed up research into jowar, a crop that supports the livelihoods of over 500 million people globally.
Why it matters
Jowar is often considered an orphan crop that receives limited research attention compared to other major staples. The AI platform seeks to overcome this by compressing research timelines that traditionally span over a decade to help farmers combat drought and disease.
The initiative utilizes AI tools designed to compress research timelines that historically required a decade or more of study. The project currently leverages the AnthroKrishi program, which has expanded its reach to include 11 countries.
The players
Google DeepMind
A research laboratory that focuses on artificial intelligence development and applications.
ICRISAT
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics is a global organization focused on agricultural research for development.
The details
The collaboration emphasizes a development process that integrates input from stakeholders and farmers from the beginning. By building local research capacity, the project aims to foster innovation for farmers dealing with mounting climate-related pressures.
Timeline
Historically, jowar has been treated as an orphan crop with minimal research investment.
The Tech Race
This partnership reflects a growing trend of integrating large-scale AI models into specialized agricultural science to solve food security issues. It marks a departure from traditional, slow-paced botanical research toward data-driven cultivation cycles.
For farmers and the agricultural supply chain, this technology could mean more reliable harvests despite unpredictable climate conditions. By improving the resilience of jowar, the project could help stabilize food prices for the millions of people who depend on the crop.
The takeaway
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to bridge the gap in research for crops that support vulnerable populations. Integrating local stakeholder input into these technical projects remains essential for successful long-term adoption in the field.
Further reading
Learn more about how researchers are integrating advanced machine learning into modern science in our Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NDTV Profit.
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