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.

Because of growing populations, more people living in cities, and higher incomes, the demand for food has changed in both quantity and quality. This has sped up the growth of different agricultural production and distribution chains. The necessary transition processes in the agri-food sectors, however, can often take a very long time to complete and have negative social and environmental effects, which puts the traditional development paradigm into question. This study looked at the trends affecting food systems in addition to the viability of sustainable development in Indian agriculture. In order to identify and then prioritize the related issues facing the agri-food sectors, this study comprised a thorough examination of the literature. Experts were consulted to rank the identified issues according to their degree of impact on the system with the use of an integrated “Best-Worst-Method (BWM)” and “Step-Wise Assessment and Ratio-Analysis (SWARA)” approach. The associated major issues were ranked using the BWM method, which revealed that “Issues with the lack of innovative systems” rated at the first level and was followed by “Issues with stability and availability of food; Issues of climate change and natural disasters; Food-governance-related issues; and Issues of accessing and utilizing food”, accordingly. The results of this study will help in developing appropriate intervention techniques at various service levels and in formulating policies, in addition to taking competent governments into consideration.