India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is spearheading a transformative journey in the agriculture sector, driven by technology and innovation. This vision aligns seamlessly with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to bolster the agricultural ecosystem while ensuring environmental sustainability. A robust policy framework has been established to accelerate growth, encompassing financial support, incubation programs, and direct subsidies for innovative equipment like drones.
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is at the forefront of this revolution, promoting innovation and agri-entrepreneurship. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has appointed six Knowledge Partners (KP) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) to assist in the incubation of startups. These startups receive financial assistance, with a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs for the idea/pre-seed stage and Rs. 25 lakhs for the seed stage. To date, over 6000 agri-startups have been trained, and 2096 have received technical and financial assistance, amounting to Rs. 168.14 crore in grants-in-aid.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence, Precision Farming, and Climate-Smart approaches is a cornerstone of this initiative. Startups are exploring various fields such as Precision Agriculture, Farm Mechanization, Post-Harvest Technology, Supply Chain and Agriculture Logistics, and Organic Farming. The use of drones in agriculture is being promoted under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), with financial assistance provided for their purchase and demonstration. The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, with an outlay of Rs. 1261 crores, aims to empower Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drones, enhancing their income and livelihood.
The Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme focuses on enhancing water use efficiency through Micro Irrigation systems. Financial assistance is provided for the installation of Drip and Sprinkler systems, benefiting small and marginal farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) leverages technology to disseminate information and enroll farmers, ensuring better implementation and claim processing.
The Digital Agriculture Mission, with its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Agriculture, including AgriStack and the Krishi Decision Support System, is set to create a robust digital agriculture ecosystem. This initiative reflects the government’s proactive approach to integrating technology into the very fabric of Indian agriculture, ensuring sustainable growth and development.