Revolution in Cattle Care: IIIT Allahabad Launches AI-Powered Smart Monitoring System for Dairy Farmers
Prayagraj | 22 July 2025 — In a major breakthrough in precision dairy farming, the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Allahabad has developed a video-based smart dairy monitoring system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to detect early signs of disease in cattle — potentially transforming animal health management for India’s dairy sector.
Developed under the leadership of Prof. Vrijendra Singh, this system is capable of real-time surveillance in cow shelters and dairy farms, identifying subtle behavioural changes to alert farmers of potential health issues.
Early Detection of Critical Cattle Diseases
The system can detect early indicators of:
- Mastitis
- Lumpy skin disease
- Ketosis
Using video feeds and AI-powered behavioural analysis, it monitors cattle for:
- Lethargy
- Isolation from the herd
- Changes in walking patterns
- Decreased appetite
- Social withdrawal
Once an abnormality is detected, the system sends instant alerts to farmers via mobile notifications, enabling timely veterinary care.
How the System Works: Tech Behind the Innovation
- Uses machine learning algorithms trained on thousands of cattle behavior videos
- Continuously monitors posture, feeding patterns, walking rhythm, and social interaction
- Automatically flags deviations from baseline behaviors as potential health threats
“This system brings precision to cattle health. Early intervention not only improves animal welfare but also minimizes losses due to disease,” said Prof. Vrijendra Singh.
Next Phase: IoT-Based Smart Collars for 360° Monitoring
The team, which includes three student collaborators from Banasthali Vidyapith — Nivedita Sonkar, Paridhi Chauhan, and Anushka Srivastava — is now developing IoT-powered smart collars for holistic health monitoring.
These collars will include:
- GPS tracking
- Accelerometers for activity and movement
- Temperature sensors for fever detection
- Heart rate monitors
- Rumination sensors to track digestion
“We aim to combine AI and IoT for a full-stack dairy health solution,” said team member Nivedita Sonkar.
Impact on India’s Dairy Industry
This innovation holds immense potential for:
- Reducing cattle mortality rates through early diagnosis
- Enhancing dairy productivity
- Supporting sustainable and welfare-centric dairy practices
- Enabling data-driven decision-making in dairy herd management
The system will soon be piloted at selected cow shelters in Uttar Pradesh, marking the beginning of a tech-integrated dairy future.