Bhubaneswar: Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, who is on a trip to Odisha to discuss AI for farmers and collaborate with Odisha government on development initiatives, met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas here on Wednesday.
According to sources, they held discussions on various topics, including SHGs, slum management and digital transformation.
Earlier in the day, Gates visited Krushi Bhawan to see how “Ama Krushi AI chatbot” made it easy for farmers to get the latest information about their crops. Agriculture Secretary Arabinda Padhee apprised the global icon about the monitoring centre. Senior officials of the department were present during the interaction.
The government officials at the centre use digital public infrastructure to give farmers real-time guidance.
Padhee said that the Department of Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment and the Fisheries and Animal Resource Department has been collaborating with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for innovation in data-driven decision-making since 2017. “It had allowed for smooth flow of information, which was then taken to the next level with the monitoring centre. He sought details about its success story and seamless flow of information and how it is being used to benefit the farmers,” he added.
Gates was also conferred with KISS Humanitarian Award 2023. After receiving award, he praised Achyuta Samanta for his work for the education of indigenous groups.
Gates also visited he newly-inaugurated Mission Shakti Bazaar in Bhubaneswar, where he interacted with SHG members. Mission Shakti Secretary Sujata Rout Karthikeyan apprises the Microsoft co-founder about the handcrafted products made by women self help groups. He also visited the Koraput Coffee Shop.
In the morning, he had visited the Maa Mangala Basti at Niladri Vihar area to learn about various schemes of the Odisha government, including Jaga Mission (scheme for development of slums) and ‘Mukta’ scheme (localised employment opportunities for the urban poor).
Before landing in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday night, Gates had expressed his admiration for India’s innovative spirit, especially digital public infrastructure, or DPI. He had added that during his trip, he will get to see India’s DPI in action.
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