by Shahu Pawar | Jul 2, 2025 | Editors Pick, Technology
How Will Partnerships with Private Firms Expand AI Options Available to Farmers?
1. More Innovation, More Choices
- Private companies are experts in building new technologies and AI tools.
- When the government partners with these companies, farmers get access to a wider range of smart solutions—from crop monitoring apps to AI-powered pest alerts and market price prediction tools.
2. Faster Development and Deployment
- Private firms move quickly and can turn ideas into working products much faster.
- These partnerships help bring the latest AI tools to farmers sooner, instead of waiting years for government-only projects.
3. Customized Solutions for Local Needs
- Private companies can work closely with farmers to create AI tools that solve real, local problems—like drought prediction for Maharashtra or disease alerts for specific crops.
- This means farmers get tools that are actually useful for their unique situations.
4. Better Training and Support
- Many private firms offer training programs and customer support to help farmers learn and use new AI technologies.
- This makes it easier for farmers to adopt and benefit from these tools.
5. Access to Global Best Practices
- Partnerships with national and international companies bring world-class technology and expertise to Maharashtra’s farmers.
- Farmers can use the same advanced AI tools that are helping growers in other successful agricultural regions.
6. Affordable and Scalable Solutions
- With government support and private sector efficiency, AI tools can be made more affordable and available to many more farmers.
- Companies can scale up quickly, reaching thousands of farmers across the state.
7. Continuous Improvement
- Private firms are always updating and improving their products based on feedback.
- Farmers benefit from regular updates and better features as technology advances.
In Summary
Government partnerships with private firms mean more AI options, faster access, better training, and solutions that truly fit farmers’ needs. This leads to smarter, more productive, and more profitable farming for everyone.
Simple Example:If a private company creates an AI app that predicts the best time to irrigate crops, and the government helps test and spread this tool, thousands of farmers can use it quickly, saving water, increasing yields, and earning more.
by Shahu Pawar | Jul 1, 2025 | Editors Pick, Technology
How Will Government Funding Create New Opportunities for Farmers to Adopt AI?
1. Making AI Tools Affordable and Accessible
- Government funding helps pay for the development and testing of AI tools, so farmers don’t have to bear the high costs.
- This means farmers can access modern technology—like crop prediction apps, pest alerts, and smart irrigation—at low or no cost.
2. Building Shared Digital Infrastructure
- The government is creating a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that collects and shares important data (weather, soil health, market prices, etc.).
- Farmers can use this data through easy-to-use apps and platforms, helping them make better decisions and increase yields.
3. Supporting Startups and Innovators
- Funding is given to startups and research groups to create new AI solutions for real farm problems.
- These new ideas are tested and improved with government support, and then made available to farmers.
4. Training and Capacity Building
- Special funds are set aside to train farmers and agricultural staff on how to use AI-powered tools.
- Farmers learn how to use new apps, sensors, and devices, making technology adoption easier and less intimidating.
5. Pilot Projects and Scale-Up
- The government supports pilot projects to test AI tools on a small scale first.
- If successful, these solutions are rolled out to more farmers across the state, ensuring only the best tools are widely adopted.
6. Encouraging Partnerships
- The policy promotes public-private partnerships with universities, companies, and research institutions.
- These collaborations bring in expertise, new ideas, and more resources, speeding up the spread of technology.
7. Reducing Risks for Farmers
- By funding and supporting AI adoption, the government reduces the risk for farmers trying new technologies.
- Farmers can try out new tools without worrying about losing their investment if something doesn’t work as expected.
In Summary
Government funding removes financial barriers, supports innovation, and ensures farmers get the training and tools they need to use AI. This creates many new opportunities for farmers to adopt modern technology, improve their incomes, and make farming more efficient and resilient.
Simple Example: Imagine a farmer who wants to use an app that predicts the best time to plant crops. With government support, this app is free or very cheap, comes with training, and is proven to work well, making it easy for the farmer to try and benefit from AI!
by Team Agrisnip | Jun 25, 2025 | Agri News, Editors Pick, Farming, Policies
Maharashtra Becomes First State in India to Approve AI Policy for Agriculture
₹500 Crore Plan to Use AI, Drones & Digital Tools to Help Farmers
In a major step to modernise farming, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for Agriculture—called the MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029. The state has set aside ₹500 crore to use AI, drones, robotics, and data tools to help solve big problems like climate change, water shortage, low productivity, and poor market access.
This new policy aims to build a tech-enabled and farmer-first agriculture system. Some of the key things included in this plan are:
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Real-time help for farmers using AI: Advisory platforms will guide farmers on when to sow, irrigate, or harvest.
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Precision farming tools: Using data to apply just the right amount of water, seeds, or fertilizer.
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Blockchain tracking: So that fruits like grapes, bananas, and pomegranates can be traced from farms to international markets.
A special platform called VISTAAR will give advice in multiple languages using AI. It will also connect with national platforms like Agristack and Bhashini.
To make this possible, the state will create digital public infrastructure like:
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ADeX (Agricultural Data Exchange) – a secure place to share farm data.
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AI Sandbox – a space where startups can test new tools.
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Geospatial Engine – to track crop health, waterbodies, and weather patterns.
The policy will be managed by a State-Level Steering Committee (SLSC) and a Technical Committee (SLTC). It will also set up:
Special focus will be on helping startups and building public-private partnerships. Innovators can get grants, run pilot projects, and access the AI sandbox to solve problems specific to each region.
A Digital Literacy Programme will train farmers and extension workers on how to use AI tools effectively through modules, fellowships, and live demos.
To attract more investment and international collaboration, Maharashtra will host an Annual Global AI in Agriculture Conference and Investor Summit.
With this move, Maharashtra has taken the lead in showing how technology and farming can go hand in hand for a better future.
by Team Agrisnip | Jun 25, 2025 | Agri News, Editors Pick, Import / Export
Basmati Exports to Iran Halt Amid Conflict; Industry Shifts Focus to India-Managed Chabahar Port
Introduction:
As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, India’s basmati rice exports to Iran have come to a halt, while shipments to the Middle East have become more expensive. The Indian government is now looking to strengthen connectivity through the India-managed Chabahar Port to safeguard trade routes.
Details:
The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has started to impact Indian trade, particularly basmati rice exports to Iran, which have completely stopped, according to industry sources. Exporters are now facing higher freight and insurance costs when shipping to West Asian markets, raising concerns across India’s rice export sector.
In response, the Ministry of Commerce recently held a high-level meeting with shipping lines and container associations to assess the unfolding situation. Officials confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz—a critical trade route—is still stable and under close monitoring through a ship reporting system.
However, if the conflict continues beyond June 23, trade movements to Russia, Central Asian nations (CIS), and Afghanistan through Iran’s Bandar Abbas port could also be affected. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) noted that this port remains crucial, especially for accessing landlocked nations like Uzbekistan, which are now cut off from Karachi due to rising regional tensions.
As a long-term solution, exporters and industry leaders are now urging the government to enhance infrastructure and logistics at the Chabahar Port, managed by India. Chabahar provides an alternative route with direct links via Dubai and India’s Kandla Port, reducing dependency on conflict-prone areas.
Additionally, trade dynamics are shifting across the region. Freight charges and transit times have increased for key Red Sea ports like Aqaba, Beirut, and Lattakia, with goods being rerouted to safer ports such as Jeddah and Alexandria. Interestingly, exports to Saudi Arabia are witnessing a rise, driven by demand from the ongoing Neom city megaproject.
With geopolitical uncertainties continuing, the industry is calling for urgent action to improve multi-modal connectivity, diversify trade routes, and minimise the impact of global conflicts on India’s crucial agri-exports. The spotlight is now on Chabahar to serve as a resilient gateway for India’s exports to Central Asia and beyond.
by Team Agrisnip | Jun 25, 2025 | Agri News, Editors Pick, Policies
Amit Shah Calls for Introspection as India’s Economy Transforms, Urges Chambers to Evolve
Introduction:
While inaugurating the new headquarters of MACCIA in Mumbai, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said India is witnessing transformative changes in industry, commerce, and agriculture, and urged trade chambers to modernise and align with the nation’s evolving economic landscape.
Details:
In a powerful address at the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) in Mumbai, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah reflected on the sweeping changes India has undergone across key sectors—industry, commerce, and agriculture.
Speaking at a state-level cooperative industrial conference, Shah was joined by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, and other senior dignitaries.
Shah highlighted that MACCIA’s centenary year is not just a milestone but an opportunity for reflection and reinvention. “When an institution completes 100 years, its rules and traditions often become outdated. This is a time for introspection,” he stated, urging India’s Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture to revisit their working models to better match today’s dynamic economy.
He emphasised that the globalisation of India’s economy, new policy-making frameworks, and stronger execution have significantly raised the country’s global standing—including the value of the Indian passport. “Today, we are the fourth-largest economy in the world, having surpassed those who once ruled us,” he noted with pride.
Shah called on all chambers across the country to engage professional institutions to audit and upgrade their operations to align with modern-day challenges and global economic standards. He pointed out that India’s economic journey—from dependency on colonial laws to becoming a global economic powerhouse—shows what determination, reform, and vision can achieve.
As MACCIA embarks on its next century, the Union Minister’s message was clear: the time for transformation is now. Institutions must adapt not only to support business but to lead innovation in India’s rapidly evolving agriculture, trade, and industrial ecosystem.
by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Editors Pick
New Delhi, June 9, 2025
The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) celebrated its Foundation Day in New Delhi today, honoring prominent figures across agriculture, industry, and media for their exceptional contributions. Among those recognized for their impactful work were two distinguished journalists, Harvir Singh, Editor-in-Chief of a leading agriculture magazine, and Prabhudatt Mishra, Deputy Editor of a national English daily, both lauded for their significant contributions to agricultural journalism.
Harvir Singh, with his decades of experience and previous roles at major media houses, has been a pivotal voice in bringing crucial rural and agricultural issues into the national spotlight. His dedicated reporting has earned him considerable acclaim from prestigious organizations like the FAO and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Similarly, Prabhudatt Mishra, a seasoned journalist with nearly 30 years in the field, is highly regarded for his insightful and in-depth reporting on complex agricultural trade and policy matters.
Dr. W.S. Lakra, Secretary of NAAS, commended both journalists for their unwavering commitment to covering the agriculture sector, acknowledging their sustained efforts in informing and shaping public discourse around critical farming issues. The event, marking 35 years since the establishment of NAAS, also featured a compelling keynote lecture by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, who delivered an address on the pertinent theme of “One Health: Guiding Our Future,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
This recognition by NAAS underscores the vital role of agricultural journalism in bridging the gap between research, policy, and the farming community, ensuring that the challenges and triumphs of India’s agricultural backbone receive the attention they deserve.
