IIT Ropar Launches AI-Powered App for Children to Explore Plants and Agriculture

IIT Ropar launches AVNI, an AI-powered learning app that helps children explore plants, crops, food and agriculture through interactive activities and observation.

IIT Ropar Launches AI-Powered App

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has launched ‘AVNI - Grow with Nature’, a digital learning platform designed to help children learn about plants, crops, food and agriculture through their everyday surroundings. Developed by IIT Ropar’s Centre of Excellence in AI for Digital Agriculture, ANNAM.AI, web and mobile platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) and hands-on activities to make learning more interactive. 

Children can use app to identify plants, fruits, vegetables and crops around them and learn more about them. AVNI allows children to explore different types of crops, including cereals, millets, spices, fruits and vegetables. For instance, a child can look at a plant or crop and use the app’s AI-based identification feature to understand what it is and learn about its importance.

The platform is available in Hindi and English and also offers audio content for younger children. It includes features such as Daily Challenges, Digital Nature Book, Nature Gallery and Crop Compare. These tools encourage children to observe their surroundings, record their learning and compare different plants and crops.

As per IIT Ropar, the aim is to introduce children to basic agricultural knowledge even before they formally study agriculture. A plant in a school garden, a fruit at home or a crop growing in a nearby field can become an opportunity to learn about nature and how food is produced. The platform focuses on learning through observation and exploration, rather than simply reading information. AVNI has been developed by Dr Mukesh Saini, Co-project Director of ANNAM.AI, IIT Ropar.