A group of enthusiastic students from Chandrabhanu Gupta Agriculture Post Graduate College pursuing BSc in Agriculture were invited to the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow, as part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) awareness programme under the aegis of CSIR Jigyasa programme on 10 August 2023. The event was marked by an enlightening discourse on the burgeoning influence of AI in various aspects of daily life, particularly its transformative role in the realm of agriculture.

Dr Sanjeev Yadav, Senior Scientist, warmly welcomed the students, providing them with a comprehensive introduction to the institute and its groundbreaking work. He highlighted how AI has seamlessly integrated into different facets of our daily lives, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

Later, Dr Santosh Shukla, Scientist, CSIR-CDRI, took centre stage to elucidate the immense potential of AI in revolutionising agriculture.                        Dr Shukla delved into the applications of AI, demonstrating “how it can be harnessed to optimise various aspects of agriculture, ranging from crop monitoring and disease detection to yield prediction and precision farming”. Dr Shukla drew attention to AI's capabilities in transforming industries, from healthcare to finance, and from manufacturing to agriculture. The students were captivated by the prospects of AI-driven solutions and the transformative impact they could have on the future of agriculture.

The students were then treated to an insightful laboratory visit, offering them a glimpse into the practical implementation of bioinformatics techniques. They were exposed to the inner workings of advanced technologies and their pivotal role in deciphering complex biological data.

A trip to the Botany Unit of SAIF&R followed, providing the students with an opportunity to meet with Scientist Dr Vinita Tripathi. She unravelled the intricate connection between agriculture, medicine, and the role of plants in shaping the pharmaceutical landscape. Dr DK Mishra took the students through the world of herbarium — a collection of preserved plant specimens. In his engaging interaction, he not only elaborated on the types of herbarium but also unveiled the pivotal role they play in scientific research, plant identification, and preservation of botanical heritage.

Later, in the Medicinal Process Chemistry Division, Er Ranvir Singh, shared the steps involved in extracting valuable molecules from plants, shedding light on the synergy between agriculture, chemistry, and pharmacology.

The visit to CSIR-CDRI not only enriched their knowledge but also ignited their curiosity to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions in addressing critical challenges in the agricultural sector.