Agriculture Innovations for Farmers Welfare

The agricultural sector in India is experiencing a profound transformation, propelled by rapid technological advancements and innovative practices. This evolution is particularly accelerated by the active presence of Agri-Start-ups and private entities equipped with cutting-edge technological capabilities. The integration of a robust Digital Public Infrastructure, leveraging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML), has yielded promising outcomes. Additionally, unique themes such as hyperspectral data analysis, photo-analytics, and the retrieval of precise weather parameters through geostationary satellites are emerging. Segmentation techniques and parcel-level crop mapping are providing unprecedented insights, enhancing the efficiency and precision of agricultural practices. These advancements mark a pivotal moment in agriculture, ushering in an era of unprecedented productivity and sustainability.

To harness these innovations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has established a screening committee comprised of experts from esteemed institutions such as IITs, IIMs, IISc, IISERs, etc. This committee, which also includes domain experts and industry specialists, will evaluate innovative solutions directly impacting farmers’ well-being. The Ministry has formulated a set of problem statements, inviting proposals from interested entities to address the inherent challenges in the sector. This opens avenues for entities working or willing to work in the agriculture sector, providing an opportunity to apply innovative solutions for the benefit of farmers.

Recognizing the exponential growth in the Agri-tech sector, the Ministry aims to support entities by shaping an ecosystem conducive to piloting and perfecting innovative solutions. Expressions of Interest (EoI) and proposals on the problem statements are invited from Agri-techs, start-ups, etc., fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing with the government. This inclusive approach seeks to facilitate a dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge for a comprehensive advancement of the agricultural sector.

The committee will evaluate potential collaborators through presentations, aiming to identify technologies and interventions aligned with the unique demands of Indian agriculture. Rigorous assessment of concepts, value propositions, and action plans will be conducted to gauge feasibility and scalability. The committee will make informed recommendations, identifying suitable entities for collaboration with the Ministry. In some cases, pro-bono partnerships may be encouraged for piloting and scaling up innovations. Through these efforts, the committee aims to drive significant progress and innovation in the agricultural domain, ultimately benefiting farmers nationwide.

Interested entities can download the required forms, along with problem statements and the framework for leveraging innovations in the Agricultural Sector, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare website (www.agricoop.gov.in). The submission schedule is as follows:

1. Documents download: October 12, 2023, to October 31, 2023, by 10:00 AM
2. Proposal submission: October 18, 2023, to November 7, 2023, by 3:00 PM