Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates is set to visit Odisha, where he will meet with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, farmers, and successful entrepreneurs. The state is preparing to extend a red carpet welcome to Gates for this significant visit.
In a blog post, Gates expressed his excitement about visiting an agricultural monitoring center in Odisha, where government officials utilize Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to provide real-time guidance to farmers. With the help of Aadhaar, the center maintains a registry of 7.5 million farmers, enabling officials to monitor their crops and farming activities, offering tailored advice through an AI-driven chatbot in local languages.
Highlighting the success of the pest management program, Gates noted that it now reaches over 4 million farmers, resulting in a remarkable 90% reduction in crop losses due to pests since its initiation in 2018. Other regions, including states in India, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the World Bank, are keen to learn from Odisha’s experiences with this service, as well as its biometric card and digital payment systems.
Additionally, Gates will visit a low-income community in Odisha where a government program is empowering women by providing them with skills to fulfill government construction contracts. This initiative showcases Odisha’s commitment to inclusive development and skill-building in marginalized communities.
Gates’ visit is expected to strengthen collaborations and inspire further innovations in Odisha’s development initiatives, reinforcing the state’s position as a leader in leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture and empowering its citizens. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visionary leadership in implementing these transformative programs reflects Odisha’s commitment to progress and inclusive growth.
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