Reimagining Indian Agriculture: NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for a Tech-Driven Future

Context

NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub has launched a strategic roadmap titled “Reimagining Agriculture: A Roadmap for Frontier Technology-Led Transformation” in Gandhinagar.
The document envisions a tech-driven, inclusive, and resilient agricultural ecosystem by 2047, aligning with the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. It outlines how emerging frontier technologies can transform Indian agriculture into a data-intelligent, innovation-driven, and sustainable sector.

About the Roadmap

The roadmap serves as a vision document integrating AI, IoT, drones, digital twins, agentic AI, and bio-innovation into Indian agriculture.
The aim is to enhance productivity, sustainability, and farmer income through data-driven innovation and inclusive participation.

Three-Pillar Framework under Digital Agriculture Mission 2.0:

Strengthening foundational systems through data ecosystems, interoperability, and last-mile enablement.
Reimagining innovation and talent systems through focused R&D and skill development.
Converging industry knowledge with policymaking to promote coherence and scalability.

Farmer Archetypes:
The roadmap classifies farmers into —

Aspiring (70–80%)
Transitioning (15–20%)
Advanced (1–2%)
It recommends customised strategies for each group to ensure equitable agricultural transformation.

Current Indian Agricultural Landscape

Agriculture employs 45.8% of India’s workforce and produces nearly 1 billion tonnes of food annually, ensuring food security and inclusive growth.

Persistent Challenges:

Fragmented landholdings: Around 86% are smallholders owning less than 1 hectare.
Low mechanisation: Dependence on manual, resource-intensive practices increases vulnerability.
Post-harvest losses: Estimated at USD 18 billion annually, reducing farmer profitability.
Digital and financial gaps: Limited access to credit, insurance, and digital platforms.
Climate pressures: Erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and groundwater depletion threaten productivity.

Opportunities for Frontier Technologies

AI & Predictive Analytics: Enables real-time advisories for weather, pest control, and yield forecasts.
- Example: Telangana pilot achieved a 21% yield increase and 9% input reduction.
Climate-Resilient Seeds: Through CRISPR and biofortification, crops gain drought, heat, and pest resistance.
Smart Mechanisation: Use of drones, IoT sensors, and digital twins for precision sowing, irrigation, and fertilisation.
Blockchain & Data Sovereignty: Ensures farm-to-fork traceability, fair pricing, and data ownership for farmers.
AgriTech Start-ups: Over 1,000 Indian start-ups are driving innovations in AI, robotics, and fintech, connecting farmers to markets and boosting efficiency.

Government Initiatives Supporting Agri-Tech

Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–25): Builds a unified digital ecosystem integrating farmer databases, land records, and input services.
National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture: Promotes climate-smart practices like integrated nutrient management and resilient cropping systems.
Kisan Drone Scheme: Encourages drone-based precision spraying and mapping for better efficiency.
PM-KISAN and eNAM: Enhance financial inclusion and market access through direct transfers and digital marketplaces.
AgriStack & Agri Accelerator Fund: Develop digital infrastructure and support innovation-led start-ups for scalable growth.

Challenges in Transformation

Data Silos: Lack of standardised, interoperable systems hinders real-time analytics.
Trust Deficit: Low digital literacy among smallholders limits adoption.
Phygital Divide: Poor connectivity and infrastructure in rural areas delay technology diffusion.
Talent Gaps: Shortage of AI–agriculture expertise affects smart farming adoption.
Funding Constraints: Lack of risk-tolerant financing restricts early-stage deep-tech innovation.

Key Recommendations by NITI Aayog

Digital Agriculture Mission 2.0: Develop a 360° data ecosystem integrating AI-based advisories, digital twins, and AgriTech accelerators.
Translational R&D: Encourage cross-disciplinary research linking labs to fields for faster adoption.
Agri-Talent Ecosystem: Train AI-literate farmers and agri-entrepreneurs through tech skilling and digital literacy.
Institutional Convergence: Establish centres of excellence and foresight units to connect policy, academia, and industry.
Inclusive Financing: Use AI-driven credit and insurance models leveraging alternative data for better risk assessment and inclusion.

Conclusion

NITI Aayog’s roadmap positions India at the forefront of an “Intelligent Agricultural Revolution”, where data becomes the new soil and AI acts as the nervous system of Indian agriculture.
By aligning policy, innovation, and inclusion, India can transform its agriculture from subsistence-based to sophisticated, ensuring productivity with sustainability and prosperity with resilience by Viksit Bharat 2047.

Source : PIB