Mishra, Debesh ORCID: 0000-0003-2665-1365, Muduli, Kamalakanta ORCID: 0000-0002-4245-9149, Raut, Rakesh, Narkhede, Balkrishna Eknath ORCID: 0000-0002-9277-3005, Shee, Himanshu ORCID: 0000-0002-6990-154X and Jana, Sujoy Kumar ORCID: 0000-0003-0901-5316 (2023) Challenges facing artificial intelligence adoption during COVID-19 pandemic: an investigation into the agriculture and agri-food supply chain in India. Sustainability, 15 (8). ISSN 2071-1050

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has witnessed a significant loss for farming in India due to restrictions on movement, limited social interactions and labor shortage. In this scenario, Artificial Intelligence (AI) could act as a catalyst for helping the farmers to continue with their farming. This study undertakes an analysis of the applications and benefits of AI in agri-food supply chain, while highlights the challenges facing the adoption of AI. Data were obtained from 543 farmers in Odisha (India) through a survey, and then interpreted using “Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM)”; MICMAC; and “Step-Wise-Assessment and Ratio-Analysis (SWARA)”. Response time and accuracy level; lack of standardization; availability of support for big data; big data support; implementation costs; flexibility; lack of contextual awareness; job-losses; affordability issues; shortage of infrastructure; unwillingness of farmers; and AI safety-related issues are some challenges facing the AI adoption in agri-food supply chain. Implications were drawn for farmers and policy makers.

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