The agricultural sector has undergone significant technological change over the past 50 years. The Green Revolution, characterized by intense contemporary agricultural methods, high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and fertilizers, remains the most high-profile phase in Indian agriculture.
In fact, governments around the world have long pushed for technological interventions to help farms produce more food, retain more water, and achieve the goals of sustainable agriculture.
Since the Green Revolution, Indian farmers have largely relied on cash for farming, and have widely adopted chemical fertilizers and pesticides in practice. The 1990s saw innovations in agroprocessing and biotechnology. Farmers are also increasingly replacing traditional harvesting methods with tractors to cut costs and time.
While agriculture has always been the backbone of India’s economy, there has been a lot of technological innovation until recently. As a result, the overuse of chemicals over the years has resulted in poor soil health and reduced agricultural yields.
It wasn’t until the late 2000s that Indian farmers saw a new method called “conservation tillage” that not only ensured soil and water conservation, but also helped farmers achieve high yields.
Today, agritech companies are increasingly focused on delivering technological interventions to help farmers become more productive. Agtech solutions combined with sustainable farming practices will further help farmers maintain soil health without compromising yields.
Agriculture Sustainability Through Technology
The main motivation for Indian farmers to acquire technology is the need to increase yields, profits and productivity. However, significant constraints include a lack of funding, technical know-how and market concerns. To compete on a global scale, farmers must have easy access to cutting-edge technologies.
As technology has advanced, farm equipment has increased in size, speed and productivity, enabling efficient farming of large areas. Farmers are integrating innovations to reduce planting and harvest time while increasing farm yields.
Artificial intelligence, analytics, connected sensors and other types of technologies can help farmers keep crops resilient and promote sustainable practices. In addition, the use of technologies such as drones, data science, and the Internet of Things further helps farmers increase yields.
At the same time, they can also rely on other sustainable agricultural practices. For example, protective agricultural products such as mulch, crop covers, crop support nets, agricultural wire, shade nets, insect nets, and agricultural wire ensure high-quality produce without compromising soil health.
The rise of agtech startups
The rise of agtech has transformed the agricultural sector by increasing efficiency, knowledge and connections and making a variety of critical and support activities at the touch of a button. Likewise, technological advancements have led to huge growth in the Indian agricultural sector.
According to Inc42, the Indian agricultural sector will grow to $24 billion by 2025. Likewise, the global market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% to $12,541.15 billion in 2022, from $11,287.56 billion in 2021 to $12,541.15 billion.
From the advent of tractors in the 1960s to current AI-driven farming methods, the agricultural sector has seen several technological breakthroughs. Drones are also used in various applications. In short, smart and modern farming methods are paving the way for a better future.
Notably, India is home to around 1,300 agritech start-ups, offering solutions ranging from computerized soil maps to technology-driven indoor farms. While many businesses focus on AI-driven solutions, others believe in precision and conservation farming solutions.
However, all of these methods and procedures attempt to produce sustainable agriculture without compromising the health of already compromised soils.
Many agtech companies have launched their own mobile apps that provide reliable information on weather conditions, rainfall and potential droughts. This enables farmers to make informed planting decisions that minimize financial losses.
The apps also offer a variety of other useful features, such as information about various crops, farming methods, global agricultural news, and more.
increase awareness
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, markets and customers have increased their focus on food safety, hygienic food preparation, and the use of sustainable agricultural practices. For example, food traceability is becoming more and more popular.
Customers can learn more about a crop’s history from pre-harvest to market shelf by learning more about when, where and by whom the crop was produced. Technology has opened doors to convince farmers of the benefits of adopting sustainable practices.
Agtechs are pioneers in training farmers in various agricultural practices including precision agriculture, conservation agriculture, equipment knowledge and more. But it is important that the public and private sectors work together to spread the word about technological advances that can help farmers achieve their long-term goals.
government initiatives
The Indian government has created a digital agriculture mission for 2021-2025 for projects based on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing and GIS technology, blockchain, drones and robotics.
In addition, the government has instituted various programmes and projects to encourage the adoption of technology in the agricultural sector for sustainable farming methods.
For example, the government has developed the National Agricultural Market (eNAM), a pan-Indian electronic trading platform that connects the current APMC mandis to create a unified national agricultural market.
The government established the National Sustainable Agriculture Mission (NMSA) to focus on integrated agriculture, water conservation, soil health management and resource synergy to increase agricultural production, especially in rainfed areas.
Other projects for farmers include e-sagu, Community Radio, Digital Green, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Gramin Bhandaran Yojana.
the way forward
Without sustainable strategies to improve agricultural productivity, the gap between supply and demand will widen further. Furthermore, major environmental challenges should not be ignored. Agtech startups are in an excellent position to equip them with the best technological solutions and farming practices.
It is the responsibility of the private and government sectors to ensure that farmers are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. A strong digital infrastructure is essential to enhance the lives of Indian farmers.
India, for example, has become the largest exporter of bananas through technology after lagging behind the international market a decade ago due to technological intervention. Therefore, as innovation develops, ensuring that farmers grow is a priority.
(The author is the founder, GrowiT India Pvt Ltd)
Posted on October 23, 2022