Gangamai Industries partners with Mahindra for AI-powered sugarcane harvesting

Gangamai Sugar Mill, in collaboration with Mahindra & Mahindra, has achieved a significant milestone. It is now the first private sugar mill in Maharashtra to adopt advanced AI and remote sensing technology for sugarcane harvesting. This innovative project is set to transform the sugarcane industry by improving productivity and sustainability.

Advanced AI and Satellite Technology

The partnership combines Mahindra’s expertise in satellite imaging and AI tools to enhance sugarcane monitoring. The advanced technology uses multispectral satellite data to assess the vegetation index of sugarcane crops while factoring in weather conditions. An AI model processes this data and predicts sugar recovery rates with 95% accuracy. This method has been validated weekly in Gangamai’s laboratory to ensure precise harvesting planning.

Highlights of the 2024-25 Season

• AI-Driven Harvest Planning: First-of-its-kind initiative in Maharashtra’s private sugar sector.

• Total Crushing: 8,80,975 metric tons of sugarcane processed with over 10% sugar recovery rate.

• Improved Sugar Recovery: Significant increase compared to last year’s performance.

• Satellite-Based Monitoring: Early alerts for pests and diseases provided to farmers for better crop management.

Impact on Farmers

The technology has already shown impressive results. It has increased sugar recovery and reduced operational costs significantly. The system also monitors 1,500 farmers' fields for pest infestations and water stress. This has allowed farmers to take timely actions to protect their crops and improve yields.

Additionally, Gangamai Industries has conducted farmer awareness programs. These programs are aimed at improving sugar recovery rates and ensuring better Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payments for farmers.

Mahindra’s Role in the Project

Mahindra played a vital role in this project. The company has worked with various sugarcane mills for over four years. It is the first company to use AI-based harvesting in India. Mahindra’s precision farming methods, including spectrometry and satellite imaging, help determine the amount of sugar in the sugarcane crop. AI algorithms analyse crop leaves’ photosynthetic components to identify maturity stages. This data helps determine the best harvesting time for maximum sugar yield, ultimately increasing farmer revenues.

This collaboration marks a new chapter in sugarcane farming. It showcases how technology can enhance farming practices, improve efficiency, and boost profitability for farmers.