Business
AgroSpectrum
How AI Is Rewiring Decision-Making Across Indian Agriculture
For decades, Indian agriculture has lived with uncertainty as a structural condition—of weather, markets, prices, and outcomes. Decisions were shaped as much by intuition as by information, and risk was absorbed almost entirely by those closest to the soil. That equilibrium is now being quietly but decisively rewritten. Artificial intelligence, once confined to pilots and proof-of-concepts, has crossed a threshold. It is no longer an experiment in agriculture—it is becoming infrastructure.
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Rewriting the Rules for Farm Inputs
India’s agricultural reform agenda is entering a crucial moment. After decades of relying on outdated, paper-based regulation, the government is now signalling a decisive shift towards technology-driven transparency and accountability.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
"India should move toward productivity-linked livestock insurance–but only through a phased, data-anchored evolution"
As livestock becomes an increasingly critical pillar of rural incomes amid climate and market uncertainties, the lack of effective risk protection remains a major gap in India’s agricultural policy landscape. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ritesh Chauhan, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Government of Himachal Pradesh, explains why advances in digital identification, veterinary networks, cooperatives, and fintech now make a scalable livestock insurance framework both viable and essential. Drawing from Himachal Pradesh’s on-ground experience, he shares practical insights on building trust, improving claim settlement, and strengthening insurer participation. Edited excerpts:
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Why 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for India's Aquaculture Sector
India's aquaculture sector is entering a decisive phase of transformation, driven by rising domestic demand, strong export growth and sustained policy support. As the world's second-largest aquaculture producer, contributing nearly 8 per cent of global fish output, India has achieved remarkable gains in production, productivity and economic value. However, escalating input costs, climate stress and disease risks are testing the limits of conventional practices. The next stage of growth will depend on adopting sustainable, resilient approaches that improve feed efficiency, diversify farmed species and strengthen climate adaptation across production systems.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
How Integrated Sugarcane-based Industries are Driving Sustainable Growth, Ethanol Output & Rural Transformation
Sugarcane is called the \"green gold\" of agriculture, and indeed, this crop has historically been vital to the prosperity of rural communities. This versatile crop, esteemed for its production of sugar, jaggery, and khansari, is now at the forefront of a transformative movement. In fact, this transformation is leveraging the crop's immense potential. Utilising its agricultural strengths, India, recognised as the second-largest producer of sugarcane globally, is addressing multiple critical issues of our time, including climate change, energy security, and rural development. The area designated for sugarcane cultivation has grown to over 5.4 million hectares, with yearly outputs exceeding 400 million metric tonnes. As a result, sugarcane has evolved beyond being just a crop; it has emerged as a catalyst for change.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
AgroSpectrum to host 2nd edition of Technovate 2026 on March 12-13 in Vashi
After the successful completion of its first edition, AgroSpectrum is again ready for its second edition of AgroSpectrum Technovate 2026 on 12 and 13th March 2026 with the theme \"Transforming Agriculture with Innovation and Technology\" at CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
1 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Boosting turmeric supply chain initiatives
India leads the global turmeric supply chain, being the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric. The major turmeric export markets for the country are Bangladesh, the UAE, and the US. It accounts for over 62 per cent of the market, with its supply chain spanning cultivation in key states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Bihar. This yellow spice from the Curcuma longa plant serves as both a culinary staple and a traditional remedy with anti-inflammatory properties. Though India is one of the largest producers of turmeric, the country imports a substantial amount from other countries. Erratic climatic conditions, value addition, product innovation and product development appear weaker, leading to a shortfall in output. Proper strategies should be in place to boost turmeric production and the supply chain. Let's dig deeper.
5 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
"Our technology bridges scientific precision with farmer knowledge, creating a system that is scalable, future-ready, and capable of transforming agriculture at scale"
As climate volatility reshapes Indian agriculture, digital intelligence is emerging as a critical resilience tool. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Ajay Shelke of WOTR explains how FarmPrecise applies AI and hyperlocal weather data to deliver field-level advisories and evolve into a farmer-centric digital operating system for climate-vulnerable regions. Edited experts;
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
How AI is Reimagining Agriculture in India
Agriculture remains central to India's economy, contributing to GDP and employing nearly half the workforce, but it faces challenges such as fragmented landholdings, monsoon dependence and resource inefficiencies. Technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), is emerging as a key enabler alongside policy support. AI-driven tools like satellite imagery, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and data analytics are strengthening precision farming through yield forecasting, risk mapping and micro-climate prediction. Focusing on the current Rabi season, this analysis draws on pilot initiatives to examine how AI is improving efficiency and profitability while addressing accessibility challenges for small and marginal farmers.
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
“Policymakers can make climate-smart farming viable by creating incentives that are practical and profitable.”
UPL, with its presence in over 140 countries, has recently launched its global campaign #AFarmerCan. Jai Shroff, Chairman and Group CEO, UPL Group, in an interaction with AgroSpectrum, elaborates on how UPL is advocating stronger financial and institutional mechanisms that reward sustainable practices and build long-term resilience. Edited excerpts;
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Women-Centric FPOS Reshape Farm Economy
Women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOS) in India have gained momentum in 2025, driven by government schemes and sustainability goals. As of June 2025, 1,663 FPOs are registered with 100 per cent women members, and 949 have over 50 women members under the Central Sector Scheme for 10,000 FPOs.
9 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Mushroom Hybrids for Better Yield and Quality
A mushroom hybrid is a genetically improved strain developed by crossing two compatible parental strains of the same species or closely related species. The goal of hybridisation is to combine the best traits of each parent to produce mushrooms that are superior in growth, yield, quality and resilience. Unlike conventional single-strain cultivation, which relies on pure strains with fixed characteristics, hybrids are specifically designed to maximise performance under both controlled and field conditions.
5 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Clear classification of RAS as agri-infrastructure would unlock more favourable financing
As technology reshapes the boundaries of Indian aquaculture, controlled-environment systems are enabling high-value species to be farmed beyond their traditional geographies. In this exclusive AgroSpectrum interaction, Aditya Rithvik Narra, Founder and Managing Director of Smart Green Aquaculture, shares how precision-engineered Recirculating Aquaculture Systems made rainbow trout farming viable in warm-climate Hyderabad, and how disciplined biological control, phased capital deployment, and integrated distribution turned innovation into a scalable business model. Edited excerpts;
4 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Data Exclusivity Risks Undermining India's Global Agrochemical Play
The agrochemicals sector has moved to the centre of policy and industry attention, driven by a convergence of domestic regulatory debates and shifting global market dynamics. At the heart of the current discussion is data exclusivity, an issue that has assumed growing significance for India's agrochemical industry and its export competitiveness.
2 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
WOMEN AGRIPRENEUERS: Pillars of Vision 2030
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO) has launched a global campaign dubbed 'International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026', aimed at recognising women's indispensable yet often overlooked contribution to global agrifood systems and to close persistent gender gaps.
10+ min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
From Premium to Precarious: India's Basmati Faces Strategic Reckoning
Few crops embody India's agricultural heritage and global ambition like basmati rice. Long-grained and aromatic, basmati is both a cultural symbol and one of India's most valuable agri-exports. Yet its future is increasingly uncertain. Policy volatility, geopolitical pressures, sustainability scrutiny, and intensifying competition-particularly from Pakistan-are forcing a strategic reckoning. The central question is no longer about scale, but positioning: should basmati be managed as a strategic commodity or elevated as a protected, premium global agri-brand?
7 min |
AgroSpectrum India Feb 2026
AgroSpectrum
Baramati, Agrovision and NBSSLUP seal landmark MoU to drive AI-enabled agriculture across Vidarbha
In a move that could redefine the technological architecture of Indian agriculture, Baramati-based institutions, Agrovision Foundation and the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSSLUP) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence across Vidarbha's farming systems.
1 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
AI driven orange farming: a key to increased yield and export opportunities for Vidarbha
“Use of AI driven orange farming methods, new high-yield orange varieties and use of latest post-harvest technologies will help make orange farming profitable in Vidarbha region,” said the experts in the special workshop “Citrus production and Processing technologies” held as a part of the Agrovision recently.
1 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Feed Is the New Battleground in India's Blue Revolution
Aquaculture isn't just another allied sector in India. It is increasingly becoming important for food security because of the protein requirements of the nation. Fishes and shrimp are being cultivated not just to meet domestic demand, but also being sought after globally as capture fisheries hit ecological limits.
4 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Agrovision to conduct activities for farmers throughout the year: Nitin Gadkari
Agrovision, an annual agricultural exhibition filled with knowledge sessions, conferences, and panel discussions, will now conduct activities for farmers throughout the year”, said Nitin Gadkari, Chief Patron, Agrovision Foundation and Union Minister Road Transport and Highways. He was addressing the valedictory session of 16th edition of Agrovision event in Nagpur.
3 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Building Climate Resilience from Seed to Shelf
At a time when climate volatility, water stress, nutritional insecurity, and biodiversity loss are converging into a systemic food crisis, agrobiodiversity is no longer a peripheral concern—it is rapidly becoming a strategic imperative. This was the central message that emerged from “Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity in Global Value Chains,” an AgroSpectrum webinar organised in partnership with GFAIR – The Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, bringing together leading voices from international research, plant breeding, policy, and state-level implementation.
5 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
How Al Is Solving India's Farm Labour Crisis: A Bottom-Up Model Led by Farmers Themselves
Ask any farmer today what their biggest challenge is, and the answer will invariably be the same: labour shortage. This problem becomes particularly acute in horticulture, where time-sensitive operations—from fruit care to harvesting and grading—demand both skilled and unskilled workers at precise intervals.
4 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
“Agriculture will become the primary source of income in many parts of the world by 2030"
AgriPilot.ai is a global real-time agricultural intelligence platform created to enhance crop productivity, livestock management, and promote an efficient and sustainable future. This paradigm encompasses Al innovation in open and controlled environment agriculture, livestock management, offering a sustainable path forward. It empowers growers to make data-driven decisions, enhancing productivity and profitability while conserving vital resources such as water, energy, and land. In an exclusive interview with AgroSpectrum, Prashant Mishra,CEO & Founder, AgriPilot.ai shared his insights about Al driven agriculture and how it will bring transformation in the global agriculture sector. Edited excerpts;
5 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Scale, Structure, and India's Path to 2030
After years of disruption caused by the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and supply-chain volatility, the global agrochemical industry is entering a new phase of structural growth. Demand is being reshaped not just by scale, but by sustainability, regulatory rigor, and technology integration. For India, this transition presents a strategic opportunity. With strong manufacturing capabilities, supportive policy frameworks, and rising global demand for reliable crop protection solutions, India is well positioned to emerge as a key export and innovation hub as the industry moves toward 2030.
3 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
How We Can Tackle Counterfeiting and Raise Agricultural Integrity
Agriculture remains the backbone of India's economy, underpinning food security, farmer livelihoods, and rural growth. Yet the rapid spread of counterfeit agrochemicals—particularly pesticides—has emerged as a serious and largely invisible threat. Estimates suggest that fake products may account for up to 30–40 per cent of the market, eroding crop yields, degrading soil health and undermining farmer confidence. Beyond economic losses, counterfeiting weakens trust across agricultural value chains and threatens India's credibility as a reliable food producer, making urgent action on authentication and traceability essential.
6 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
From AI to Orbit: Rewriting Indian Agriculture
Google, through its philanthropic arm, has committed $8 million to support four Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India, one of which will focus on agriculture.
3 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
UNION BUDGET 2026 EXPECTATIONS: Resilience, Efficiency & Prosperity
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveils Budget 2026, the nation demands more than routine allocations. Indian agriculture is at a historic inflection point. This Budget is expected to operationalise the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aiming to transform farming from a low-margin, input-heavy, staple-focused sector into a high-productivity, high-value, globally competitive engine. Economists, industry leaders, and multilateral agencies concur: Incremental tweaks have run out of runway, and structural reforms are imperative to bridge productivity gaps, restore soil and water health, and secure farmers' livelihoods.
8 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Why Trade Secrets Matter More Than Patents for India's Seed Companies
For India’s agritech and seed companies, trade secret protection is becoming an increasingly strategic tool for safeguarding competitive advantage. Much of the sector's value is rooted in confidential breeding expertise, in-house analytics, proprietary genetic resources, and specialised production know-how - assets that traditional IP frameworks such as patents or plant variety protection rarely protect adequately, leaving businesses exposed. As the industry scales amid statutory exceptions and exclusions, market expansion, counterfeit risks, and growing export aspirations, the ability to manage and secure sensitive information is evolving into a critical business capability. Companies that integrate structured trade secret governance into their broader IP and commercial strategies are better positioned to protect high-value R&D, maintain differentiation in a crowded market, and convert long-term research efforts into sustained business value.
5 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Strengthening the Draft Seed Act, 2025
The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025, released by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, marks a significant step towards modernising India's seed regulatory framework. Aimed at replacing the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, the proposed legislation seeks to ensure the availability of high-quality seeds, promote innovation, strengthen transparency in the seed supply chain, and protect farmers' interests, while also improving ease of doing business. The draft has elicited varied responses from industry, farmers' organisations, and other stakeholders, reflecting both opportunities and concerns associated with the proposed reforms.
3 min |
January 2026
AgroSpectrum
Dairy Technology: Big Potential, Slow Uptake
The Indian dairy sector has been undergoing a far more consequential transformation, from a volume-driven ecosystem to a technology-led, science-backed, and innovation-oriented industry. The country, known for its Operation Flood and White Revolution 2.0, has helped the rural economy at large. With technology in hand, the next phase of growth is touted to be a game-changer for the dairy industry. However, these technologies come at a cost, and how far they can penetrate dairy farmers in remote areas remains a question.
7 min |