THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JULY 8, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform India's agriculture sector by adding nearly ₹70,000 crore annually to the farm economy, while agri-startups are poised to become the driving force behind the next phase of the country's startup revolution, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. Stressing that India's future entrepreneurial success must increasingly emerge from its farms rather than just technology hubs, he called for deeper integration of science, innovation, startups and industry to make agriculture a powerful engine of economic growth, employment and rural prosperity.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, made the remarks while addressing the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2026, organised with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in New Delhi.

The conclave, themed "Feeding the Future," brought together policymakers, scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, startups and innovators to deliberate on the future of Indian agriculture.

Describing agri-startups as the defining force of India's agricultural future, Dr. Singh said the next wave of India's startup revolution must emerge from farms, enabling agriculture to become a major source of entrepreneurship, employment and wealth creation.

Congratulating the organisers for creating a common platform for all stakeholders in the agriculture ecosystem, the Minister said such interactions are vital for accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and translating scientific innovations into sustainable livelihood opportunities. He stressed that closer collaboration among government, industry, research institutions, startups and farmers is essential to ensure innovation reaches the field and delivers tangible economic benefits.

Referring to the rapid pace of technological advancement, Dr. Singh said agriculture can no longer rely solely on conventional practices. India, he emphasised, must continuously adapt to emerging scientific developments to remain globally competitive while ensuring long-term food and nutritional security.

Highlighting India's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, the Minister said agriculture will play a pivotal role in the country's clean energy transition. He underlined the growing importance of biofuels, renewable energy and other sustainable alternatives, recalling successful initiatives that convert used cooking oil into biofuel. Such efforts, he said, not only generate economic value from waste but also strengthen environmental protection and promote a circular economy.

Dr. Singh noted that India's startup ecosystem has expanded dramatically over the past decade — from nearly 350 registered startups in 2015 to over 2.3 lakh startups today — making the country the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. However, he said the greatest untapped potential lies in agriculture, where innovation can simultaneously raise farmers' incomes and create employment opportunities for rural youth.

He observed that startups should no longer be viewed as being confined to the information technology sector, metropolitan cities or highly qualified professionals. Agriculture, he said, presents one of India's biggest entrepreneurial opportunities, where practical knowledge, innovation and adaptability often matter more than formal academic qualifications. Government support, digital learning platforms and scientific institutions have made advanced technologies increasingly accessible in rural areas.

Sharing the success of the CSIR Aroma Mission, Dr. Singh said lavender cultivation in the villages of Jammu & Kashmir evolved into the now-famous Purple Revolution, creating livelihood opportunities for thousands of young entrepreneurs. Nearly 8,000 to 9,000 youth associated with the initiative have established successful agri-enterprises, with several earning annual incomes of ₹60-70 lakh or more, he said.

He added that the model has since been replicated in several Himalayan and North-Eastern states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, demonstrating the vast potential of science-driven agricultural entrepreneurship.

The Minister emphasised that the initiative succeeded because scientific research was linked with industry from the outset. Industry participation, value addition and market access, he said, are indispensable for ensuring that agricultural innovations generate sustainable economic returns for farmers. He urged innovators and entrepreneurs to work closely with industry to develop market-oriented products that also create employment opportunities across rural India.

Describing climate change as one of the greatest challenges confronting global agriculture, Dr. Singh said advances in science and technology are equipping farmers with powerful decision-support tools. Satellite technology, weather forecasting systems, resource mapping, drone-based surveys and real-time advisories are enabling farmers to make informed decisions on sowing, irrigation and crop management. Improved weather forecasting, he added, can help farmers anticipate monsoon variability, choose suitable crops and minimise climate-related losses.

The Minister highlighted the extensive scientific work being carried out under the Ministry of Science & Technology in areas such as climate-resilient crop development, genomics, crop improvement, pest-resistant varieties, precision farming and resource optimisation. Artificial Intelligence, he said, is rapidly emerging as an indispensable tool for predictive crop management, precision irrigation, weather-based advisories and efficient utilisation of agricultural resources.

According to one estimate, Dr. Singh said, AI-driven optimisation alone can help each farmer save nearly ₹5,000 annually, resulting in an estimated ₹70,000 crore value addition to India's agricultural economy. Such interventions, he said, will significantly strengthen India's journey towards Viksit Bharat by enhancing farm productivity, improving resource efficiency and increasing farmers' incomes.

The Minister also underscored the importance of awareness alongside innovation. Scientific knowledge and government support, he said, must reach citizens through platforms they use regularly and in languages they understand. With nearly 70 per cent of India's population below the age of 40, digital communication, short-form videos, multilingual content and AI-powered language technologies can significantly accelerate the dissemination of agricultural knowledge among farmers and young entrepreneurs.

Calling for a collaborative approach, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India's agricultural future depends on effectively integrating science, technology, entrepreneurship and market-driven innovation. He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships among researchers, industry, startups and farmers would transform Indian agriculture into a globally competitive, technology-enabled sector capable of driving inclusive economic growth and contributing significantly to the vision of a developed India by 2047.