West Bengal to use AI for paddy quality assessment
The state government plans to introduce automatic grain analysers at 100 procurement centres to resolve disputes between farmers and millers.
The West Bengal food and supplies department issued a tender on October 29 to install artificial intelligence (AI) based automatic grain analysers at paddy procurement centres. According to The Federal, the initiative aims to replace manual testing with machine-based assessments to settle disputes regarding grain quality and deductions.
The department intends to deploy these machines at 100 of the approximately 300 government-notified procurement centres. The technology uses software and digital imaging to evaluate grain size, shape, and colour, identifying issues such as insect damage, sprouting, or discolouration within minutes.
Rice millers have expressed support for the move. Manoj Kumar Fogla, secretary of the West Bengal Rice Mill Owners Association, said the system could help resolve long-standing friction between farmers and procurers. He noted that millers often claim supplied paddy fails to meet Fair Average Quality (FAQ) specifications.
However, some farmers have raised concerns regarding the reliability of the technology. Md Asaduzzaman, president of the Bhagwangola Agro Producer Company Ltd, said automated systems might apply quality limits too rigidly without accounting for local conditions, such as uneven moisture levels in a heap.
Asaduzzaman also noted that image-based systems might incorrectly flag superficial discolouration caused by rain. He cited reports from Odisha where farmers alleged that grain analysers produced inconsistent results and rejected high-quality paddy.
Farmers stated they will monitor the implementation of the system. They noted that while they would welcome the machines, the technology must provide fair and reliable assessments to ensure they receive correct prices for their produce.
