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.

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) provides a suitable platform for groups as well as promotion of the participants' role in decision processes. This also enables the development of real participatory processes essential for the successful implementation and sustainable flood management programs. The present study contributes by applying two MCDM approaches for weighting the criteria related to the environmental impacts of flooding. Moreover, an attempt was made in this study by an extensive review of literature, and consultations with experts to identify the environmental impacts of flooding in Odisha State (India). Then, the Best Worst Method (BWM) followed by the Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method was used to rank the environmental impacts which were considered as the risk factors. The result of this study will be useful to the governance system for an effective and proper planning, and implementation of flood mitigation projects.