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India’s farmers have long been the backbone of the country’s food security. However, they face increasing challenges just as the nation needs their farmlands at their most productive.
India, with a population of 1.4 billion, is the world’s most populous country and is expected to peak at 1.7 billion by 2062. This rapid population growth, combined with economic expansion, rising incomes, and urbanisation, is creating an unprecedented demand for food.
With global warming causing severe disruptions, farmers must produce more food than ever before, even as growing conditions worsen. This strain is compounded by high production costs, low farm incomes, and mounting debt.
To meet the growing demand for food, India must rethink its farming approach. Farmers need the tools and knowledge to boost productivity and build resilience against climate change.
Technology holds the answer. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) have transformed many sectors, and agriculture can be next. Precision agriculture uses these technologies to optimise water, nutrients, and protection products, based on crop growth stages, boosting yields while preserving soil health.
Digital tools also help farmers plan crop cycles better. Satellite technology, for example, can predict weather more accurately, allowing farmers to plan sowing and harvesting around favourable weather conditions.
Digitalisation can also combat pest outbreaks. Drones equipped with imaging technology can swiftly detect pests, enabling early intervention.
The results are already evident. The World Economic Forum’s AI for Agriculture Innovation initiative in Telangana helped farmers increase yields by 21% while reducing pesticide use by 9%, leading to an $800 income boost per acre.
Research shows that digital agriculture could increase agricultural GDP by over $450 billion annually in low- and middle-income countries.
As we enter the digital age, farming must also evolve. India’s farmers have long contributed to the country’s prosperity, often at great personal cost. Now, it’s time to empower them to thrive.
(The author is a board member and CEO of UPL Sustainable Agri Solutions. This article is originally a press release. Apart from language refinement, no modifications have been made. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DeshWale or its editorial board. Readers are encouraged to verify the facts independently.)
