In the past, the Green Revolution marked a turning point, achieving self-sufficiency in foodgrain production. However, new-age challenges require advanced solutions. The emergence of biotechnology, mechanisation, and digital tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are transforming agricultural practices. With precision agriculture, robotics, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology, farmers can increase crop yields, improve supply chain management, and better prepare themselves against climate vagaries.
Despite the potential of agritech, its penetration remains low, with EY estimating a mere one per cent and NASSCOM noting that only two per cent of Indian farmers use apps in their operations. Affordability and accessibility are significant hurdles in wider tech adoption among farmers. The agriculture sector, contributing to 18 per cent of India’s GDP and employing nearly 60 per cent of the workforce, faces the paradox of significant growth versus persistent challenges.
