At first glance, the collar wrapped around a cow’s neck may not look extraordinary. Yet hidden inside it is a combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics that can predict illness before symptoms appear, detect the ideal time for breeding, and even help farmers locate a lost animal.
For thousands of dairy farmers across India, this technology is doing far more than tracking livestock. It is helping improve milk production, reduce losses, and increase incomes.
Leading this effort is Nagpur-based eVerse.AI, established in 2022 by Ashish Sonkusare, along with Shailendra Narwade and Vidhi Gaur. Today, the startup’s solutions are being used by more than 22 lakh farmers across multiple states, while over 40,000 AI-powered collar devices have been deployed across dairy farms.
The AI collar that works like a Fitbit
The startup’s flagship innovation is its Connected Cow Collar — an IoT-enabled device that functions much like a Fitbit or Apple Watch for livestock. The collar continuously tracks a cow’s physical activity, body temperature, movement patterns, and other behavioural indicators around the clock. The data is then analysed using AI and machine learning models.
One of its most valuable functions is early disease prediction. “In many cases, we can identify that an animal is likely to fall sick before visible symptoms start appearing,” says Ashish. This allows farmers to seek veterinary care early, preventing serious illness and reducing the risk of infections spreading across herds.
The collar also helps detect heat cycles — the short window during which artificial insemination must be performed for successful breeding. By sending timely alerts directly to a farmer’s phone, the system significantly improves breeding outcomes. A built-in GPS feature further allows farmers to track their animals in real time.
Alongside the collar, eVerse.AI has developed a Connected Cow app that stores an animal’s health history, medical records, and productivity data in one place.
CowGPT: AI assistant on WhatsApp
The company has also launched CowGPT, an AI-powered assistant available through WhatsApp in multiple Indian languages. Designed for ease of use, the tool allows farmers to ask questions through voice notes or text and receive instant guidance related to animal care, nutrition, and health management.
Recognising that technology adoption can be challenging in rural communities, the team prioritised simplicity from the outset. All solutions are available in local languages, and the company regularly conducts health camps, nutrition camps, training sessions, and awareness programmes.
Real impact on the ground
For 35-year-old dairy farmer Ankush Shelke from Khedi village, running a dairy business with just five cows was once filled with uncertainty. That changed when he adopted eVerse.AI‘s Connected Cow technology two years ago.
“As soon as any cow comes into heat, I get an alert on my mobile. If a cow is likely to fall sick, I receive information in advance and can immediately arrange treatment,” he says.
The results have been significant. According to Ankush, each animal now produces an additional two to three litres of milk every day. What began with five cows has now grown through the addition of new cows, buffaloes, and calves.
A similar transformation has been experienced by 25-year-old computer science graduate Sujal Bhasne, who helps manage his family’s dairy business. After installing the AI-powered collars, the family witnessed improvements in breeding success, animal health, and milk production.
Tackling climate change while supporting farmers
Beyond animal health, eVerse.AI is also addressing one of the livestock sector’s biggest environmental challenges: methane emissions. Through large-scale methane reduction programmes, the company is helping farmers adopt improved feeding practices that reduce emissions while enhancing productivity.
The company’s Maharashtra Methane Mission and the Banas Methane Programme are among the largest initiatives of their kind. The resulting emission reductions generate carbon credits, creating an entirely new source of income for participating farmers.
Building the future of dairy farming
In just a few years, eVerse.AI has attracted partnerships with major dairy cooperatives including Amul, Banas Dairy and Mother Dairy, while also collaborating with organisations such as the World Bank, Tata Trusts and the Gates Foundation.
Its innovations have earned recognition from global and national institutions, including the FAO’s Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation and India’s AI Impact Startups initiative.
For Ashish, the biggest validation still comes from conversations with farmers. “When a farmer tells us that they recovered the cost of the device within months or that their income has improved because of our technology, that’s the most satisfying part,” he says.
