Wadhwani AI has secured a grant of $3.3 million through Google.org's AI for the Global Goals initiative, which is Google's philanthropic branch. Initially focused on advising cotton farmers on pest management, Wadhwani AI is expanding its efforts to safeguard India's essential food crops. This expansion involves integrating its AI technology into the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's digital systems, allowing for a nationwide rollout.

Shekar Sivasubramanian, CEO, Wadhwani AI, said, “We aim to boost efficiency and production in the Indian agricultural sector using AI. Our Cotton Ace app, supported by Google.org, has already increased farmers' profits by 20 percent and reduced pesticide expenses by 25 percent. This recent grant will help us expand our technology to safeguard staple crops like rice, wheat and corn, supporting the UN's goal of zero hunger". Wadhwani AI is one of 15 organizations worldwide to receive support through the USD 25 million philanthropy challenge by Google.org for projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Annie Lewin, Senior Director of Global Advocacy and Head of Asia Pacific, Google.org said, “The AI for the Global Goals Impact Challenge is an important part of our commitment to supporting progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but also to our longstanding mission to supporting brilliant changemakers using technology to solve humanity's biggest challenges. This new grant to Wadhwani AI speaks directly to Google’s DNA, supporting the real-world application of the latest advancement in AI and technology to safeguard the sustenance of a whole nation”.