Implementing Next Gen AI Breakthroughs in Agricultural Technology

India's agritech sector is entering a defining phase in 2025, propelled by a confluence of strategic policymaking, technological leapfrogging, and heightened capital flows.

- Suchetana Choudhury

In a clear signal of intent, the government has increased the agriculture budget by 15 per cent to Rs 1.73 lakh crore, with a sharp focus on embedding artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain into the fabric of Indian agriculture.

The objective is unambiguous: Boost farm incomes, smoothen price volatility, and catalyse a tech-led transformation that could reset the productivity curve for the sector.

India's agritech sector is at a critical inflexion point, propelled by strategic policy shifts, accommodative monetary moves, and rapid technological adoption. The RBI's recent repo rate cut to 6.25 per cent has eased liquidity, catalysing funding flows into agritech startups and innovation-led ventures. Concurrently, trade negotiations with the US and EU are poised to unlock new export corridors for Indian agritech products, bolstering investor sentiment and global competitiveness. However, structural challenges remain. Supply chain bottlenecks, high import duties on advanced equipment, and a deepening talent deficit in emerging tech continue to constrain scalability.

The industry faces an urgent need for skilled professionals adept in AI, IoT, and data analytics-critical enablers of the next leap in farm productivity. Despite these hurdles, the shift towards precision agriculture is unmistakable.

From Al-driven crop analytics to drone-enabled field monitoring, Indian farms are beginning to integrate smart solutions that enhance efficiency, optimise inputs, and build climate resilience. As digital tools become central to farm operations, they are not just augmenting yields-they are reshaping the very architecture of Indian agriculture.