While addressing the third edition of “TechBharat” at CSIR-CFTRI campus, Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid emphasis on the use of modern technology in the agricultural sector and said that agri-tech startups are critical to India’s future economy.
Singh said, “A new wave of agri-tech startups has come up in India in the last few years due to enabling policy environment provided by Modi government to address the problems of Indian agriculture such as supply chain management, use of outdated equipment, improper infrastructure, and the inability of farmers to access a wider range of markets with ease.”
The Minister noted that young entrepreneurs are now quitting their jobs in IT sectors and MNCs to establish their own startups as there is realization that investing in agriculture is one of the very few safe and profitable businesses.
He said, “Agri-tech startups are providing innovative ideas and affordable solutions to a number of challenges faced all across the agricultural value chain and it has the potential to change the face of the Indian agriculture sector and eventually raise farmers’ incomes. These startups and budding entrepreneurs have become the missing link between the farmers, input dealers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers connecting each of them to each other and providing strong marketing linkages and quality produce on time.”
The minister emphasized that agriculture is one of the important pillars of the Indian economy as 54 per cent of the Indian population depends directly on agriculture and it accounts for around 20 percent of GDP. He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 100 Made-in-India agricultural drones across the country in February this year, which carried out farm operations in unique simultaneous flights.
“Although agriculture in India has majorly seen steady growth in the last few years, not much has been done in encouraging young, fresh and unique innovative ideas in the sector,” he said.
He also referred to the Budget speech of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, wherein she said that the use of ‘Kisan Drones’ will be promoted for crop assessment, digitization of land records, spraying of insecticides, and nutrients. He added that drones can also be used for assessing the health of any vegetation or crop, field areas inflicted by weeds, infections and pests and based on this assessment, the exact amounts of chemicals needed to fight these infestations can be applied thereby optimizing the overall cost for the farmer.
The minister further noted that internet usage, increase in smartphone penetration, the emergence of startups and various government initiatives in rural areas are facilitating fast technology adoption in the farm sector.
