Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture: Principles, Technologies and Applications presents a comprehensive examination of how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture into a data-driven, connected and increasingly autonomous sector. The book traces the evolution from traditional farming to Agriculture 4.0 and examines the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, Internet of Things, remote sensing, robotics, big data and autonomous machinery in agricultural systems.

The book covers AI-enabled data acquisition and sensing, soil health and nutrient management, precision irrigation, weather analytics, pest and disease detection, intelligent weed management, agricultural robotics, autonomous vehicles, smart livestock farming and aquaculture. It further explores crop yield prediction, plant phenotyping, genomics, crop insurance, agricultural lending, post-harvest quality management, cold-chain logistics and supply-chain optimization.

Particular attention is given to the socio-economic, ethical, environmental and security dimensions of agricultural AI, including data privacy, ownership, algorithmic bias and sustainability. The final chapter examines emerging technologies such as Generative AI, large language models, Edge AI, AI-powered chatbots and robotics.

N.G. Ravichandra, Professor of Plant Pathology and Scheme Head, All India Co-ordinated Research Project (Nematodes), Department of Plant Pathology University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, is involved in teaching, research and extension activities. He has been a major advisor to the Post-Graduate students majoring in Plant Pathology for M.Sc., (Agri.) and Ph.D. Degree Programmes.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has authored nine text books in Plant Pathology & Nematology, has 260 scientific research papers published in National and International journals, contributed chapters to twelve text books, edited five books and also authored ten books in Kannada language.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has identified and reported a new species of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii) on Guava and a new host, Lac plant (Flemingia semialalta L.) for root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) from Karnataka. These are the new and first reports from India.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has been bestowed with three National awards for his research accomplishments and contributions. He has been recognized as the International Editor and Reviewer for three prestigious International Journals and National Editor for the eminent ‘Indian Phytopathology’ Journal. He has developed eight technologies for the management of root-knot nematodes infecting tomato, brinjal and rice, which have been included in the Package of Practices of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Dr. N.G. Ravichandra has operated research projects funded by the Department of Bio-Technology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator; participated and presented original research papers on various aspects of plant diseases in National and International conferences; undergone advanced training programs sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology & Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India; an active life member of professional societies including Nematological Society of India, Indian Phytopathological Society, Society of Mycology & Plant Pathology, National Environmental Science Academy, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Glacier Journal Research Foundation and Institute of Scholars.

Chapter 1. Introduction to Agri-Tech and the Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Chapter 2. Data Acquisition and Sensing Technologies

Chapter 3. Artificial Intelligence in Soil Health and Nutrient Management

Chapter 4. Precision Irrigation and Weather Analytics

Chapter 5. Computer Vision for Pest and Disease Detection

Chapter 6. Intelligent Weed Management and Chemical Optimization

Chapter 7. Agricultural Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles

Chapter 8. Smart Livestock Farming and Aquaculture

Chapter 9. Crop Yield Prediction and Phenotyping

Chapter 10. Post-Harvest Artificial Intelligence: Sorting, Grading and Supply Chain

Chapter 11. Socio-Economic, Ethical and Environmental Impacts of Agri-AI

Chapter 12. Future Horizons: Generative AI, Edge AI and Beyond