How Russian and Indian Scientists Use AI to Create Digital Soil Twins
The Southern Federal University continues to work with multidimensional spatially distributed soil data. Scientists from SFedU will develop a new methodology for analyzing such data using AI together with a professor from Nirma University in India.
AI Soil Modeling Project Receives Mega-Grant for International Partnership
The Russian Science Foundation has summed up the results of the “mega-grant” competition for fundamental and exploratory scientific research under the supervision of leading foreign scientists, including applied research. The size of such a grant will be from 20 to 50 million rubles annually. The support period is 5 years with the possibility of extension for another 3 years.
Who’s Leading the AI Collaboration: Meet the Scientists
Based on the results of the examination, the project of the Southern Federal University was supported“Development and implementation of a methodology for creating a digital twin of soils based on artificial intelligence and Big Data technology”which will be headed byTanwar Sudeep, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Institute of Technology at Nirma University (India), an expert in the field of security systems development and construction of wireless and intelligent networks.
“The joint research initiative was born out of professional connections between researchers from India and Russia, shared academic interests and previous joint publications in the field of AI, big data and digital modelling, which perfectly match our research interests in digital soil mapping and sustainable land management. A shared vision of advancing environmental science through advanced digital technologies, supported by successful experiences of Russian-Indian projects, quickly generated mutual understanding and enthusiasm for this collaboration. Building on the solid foundation of existing scientific connections, we will be able to significantly accelerate progress and achieve meaningful results in creating innovative solutions for soil health and sustainable agriculture,”— sharedTanwar Sudip.
Why Soil Digital Twins Matter for Agriculture and Sustainability
A network of regional soil data centers has been operating in the Moscow, Belgorod and Rostov regions of Russia for several years now. Their goal is to collect a reliable training sample for modeling soil cover using AI, in other words, creating “digital twins” of soils. In the Rostov region, such a data center is the Bioengineering Center of the Academy of Biology and Biotechnology of the Southern Federal University, and the regional branch of the Agrochemical Service of Russia and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Rostov Region help with data collection.
Head of the Center for Bioengineering, ABiB, SFUYuri LitvinovHe said that more than 90% of the region’s soil data has been digitized to date.
Applications of AI in Soil Analysis: From Fertilizer Dosage to Land Assessment
“Having a digital version of all agricultural lands on hand, it is possible to provide information about them to farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture in a timely manner, it is possible to objectively conduct a cadastral assessment of any plot of land, and most importantly, to recommend what dose of which mineral fertilizers is needed in each specific case”, — sharedYuri Litvinov.
Technical Challenges and AI Model Design
Modeling the soil cover requires analyzing a large volume of soil data, which only artificial intelligence can handle. But soil information is sparse, incomplete, and multimodal, which means that not every AI can correctly evaluate and analyze it.
Bridging Engineering and Soil Science for Smart Farming Futures
“My colleagues Dr Rajesh Gupta, Dr Jitendra Bhatia and Dr Nilesh Kumar Patel from Nirma University and I specialise in wireless and smart networks, cyber security and smart systems. However, we recognise that the integration of advanced digital technologies is critical to addressing complex societal challenges that go beyond the traditional ICT domain. Soil science and fertility directly impact sustainable agriculture and food security, which are critical for the socio-economic stability of India and the world. Our interdisciplinary approach reflects the aspiration to harness intelligent and secure networked systems for the benefit of society by bridging the gap between engineering and sustainable management of natural resources. This is in line with the global priorities of smart agriculture and supports India’s strategy of technology self-reliance and environmental sustainability.”, — he explained.Tanwar Sudip.
The Role of SFedU and Distributed Soil Databases
That is why the methodology for creating a digital twin of soils will be developed by soil scientists from the D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Biotechnology of SFedU, IT specialists from the Institute of Computer Technologies and Information Security of SFedU and a world-class expert from India. On the Russian side, the mega-grant will be managed by the head of the research laboratory “Intelligent Agroecosystems”Svetlana Sushkova.
“Currently, a large volume of soil information has been accumulated, characterized by its multi-scale nature, chronology of acquisition, and heterogeneous data sources. In this regard, the issue of developing new methodological solutions for the implementation of operational intelligent analysis of soil data is becoming relevant. It is assumed that these technologies will not only increase the efficiency of agricultural production, but also minimize the costs of maintaining soil fertility. The results of the project will create a scientific and technological basis for environmentally sustainable practices in managing agricultural lands”, — she explained.Svetlana Sushkova.
As a result, a network of distributed soil databases will be created in the Rostov region and a graphical interface for a digital twin of the region’s soils will be developed.
Long-Term Goals: From Local Fields to Global Agro-Sustainability
“The methodology for creating digital twins of soils using AI and big data will not only enhance scientific understanding but also provide concrete tools for farmers, regulators and agritech companies to optimize land use, more accurately dose fertilizers and implement sustainable farming practices — which will directly improve crop yields and long-term soil health. Such results are especially important for India, where food security is a national priority, as well as for other countries facing climate change and land degradation. The adaptable and secure digital platform we are developing can be applied across different agro-climatic zones of the world, helping countries build resilient agricultural systems and ensure food security for future generations.”, — he summed upTanwar Sudip.
This project is a clear example of how Russian-Indian scientific partnership can address global challenges by creating innovations with real social impact.
About Prof. Tanwar Sudeep
Reference:Prof. Tanwar Sudeep has authored more than 550 research publications (including 224+ journal articles, 420+ SCOPUS indexed articles, and 217+ articles published in SCI/SCIE indexed journals including IEEE/Wiley Transactions). He has authored/edited 33 books (including 7 co-authored books, 16 edited books (5 books as sole editor), and 10 edited books as conference proceedings). He is ranked in the top 2% of the world’s scientists as per the list prepared by Stanford University, USA (for the last 5 consecutive years i.e. 2023–24, 2022–23, 2021–22, 2020–21, and 2019–20). Scopus h-index — 71. Has over 21 years of teaching experience (as a lecturer, senior lecturer, associate professor, professor) and over 18 years of administrative experience (as a head of department). Has academic and scientific awards of national and international level.
