An IIT app turns every roadside plant into a classroom for children

IIT Ropar’s AI-in-agriculture center, backed by India’s education ministry, has released AVNI – Grow with Nature, a free app that teaches children about the crops, fruits, vegetables and spices growing around them. Point a phone at a plant and the app identifies it, then turns it into a lesson — with content in Hindi and English, audio for younger children, daily challenges and a digital nature journal. It is free, carries no ads, and was designed to protect children’s privacy. ‘A crop in a school garden, a fruit at home or a plant growing in the neighbourhood can become an opportunity to learn,’ says project director Dr. Pushpendra P. Singh. The app was developed by Dr. Mukesh Saini.