India Biggest Technological Revolution in Farming: How AI, Drones and Agri-Startups Are Transforming Agriculture

India is witnessing a major technological shift in agriculture as the government accelerates support for AgriTech startups and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), precision farming, drones, and climate-smart agriculture. A series of targeted schemes and initiatives are being implemented to modernize farming and boost productivity.

Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Programme:

Since 2018–19, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has been implementing the “Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Programme” under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The objective is to strengthen the incubation ecosystem in India and provide financial assistance to promising agricultural startups.

This programme:

1. 6 Knowledge Partners (KP) and 24 RKVY Agri-Business Incubators (R-ABI) have been identified.
2. Idea/Pre-seed stage startups receive a one-time grant of up to ₹5 lakh.
3. Seed-stage startups are provided up to ₹25 lakh, released in two instalments based on committee recommendations.
4. Each KP can select 20–25 startups and each R-ABI can select 10–12 startups annually.

Startups receive training, technical mentorship, and financial support to help them launch their innovations in the market. So far, more than 6,000 Agri-startups have been trained across India.

₹168 Crore Funding to Agri-Startups:

Between FY 2019–20 and 2025–26, a total of 2,096 startups have been supported with technical and financial assistance. The government has released ₹168.14 crore as grants for startups working in:

Precision agriculture

1. Sensor-based technologies
2. IoT and AI
3. Drone applications
4. Farm mechanization
5. Post-harvest management
6. Food technology
7. Value addition
8. Supply chain solutions
9. Agri-inputs
10. Waste management
11. Organic farming
12. Green energy

Boost to Drone Technology in Agriculture:

The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), the government is promoting the use of drones through multiple subsidy categories:
For ICAR, KVKs, SAUs and government agriculture institutes:

1. 100% subsidy on drone purchase (up to ₹10 lakh per drone)
2. 75% subsidy on drone cost
3. 40% subsidy (up to ₹4 lakh)
4. 50% subsidy (up to ₹5 lakh)
5. SC/ST, small & marginal, women farmers, and farmers from NE states: 50% subsidy, up to ₹5 lakh
6. Other farmers: 40% subsidy, up to ₹4 lakh

Strengthening Farm Mechanization:

SMAM, implemented since 2014–15 and now operating under RKVY, aims to:

1. Provide modern farm machinery to small and marginal farmers
2. Promote Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs)
3. Expand access to advanced agricultural equipment
4. Conduct training and capacity-building programmes

The government has established four state-of-the-art Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes at:

Budni (Madhya Pradesh)

1. Hisar (Haryana)
2. Garladinne (Andhra Pradesh)
3. Biswanath Chariali (Assam)

₹1,261 Crore Approved for Drone Distribution to Women SHGs:

The government has approved ₹1,261 crore for the “Namo Drone Didi” scheme (2023–24 to 2025–26), aimed at providing 15,000 drones to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The scheme seeks to:

1. Promote advanced agricultural technologies
2. Increase crop productivity
3. Reduce input costs
4. Empower SHG women as drone service providers

In 2023–24, fertilizer companies supplied 1,094 drones, including 500 drones under Namo Drone Didi, to SHG women.

Micro-Irrigation: “More Crop Per Drop”

Under the PMKSY’s Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) scheme (since 2015–16), the focus is on expanding drip and sprinkler-based irrigation.
Subsidy benefits 55% for small and marginal farmers, 45% for other farmers. This results in significant savings in water, fertilizer, and labour while enhancing crop yields.

Digital Innovations under PMFBY

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana now uses advanced digital technologies:

1. Farmers can enrol through the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) and the AIDE app
2. CSC’s Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) assist with enrolment and claim facilitation
3. Advanced tools are being deployed for yield estimation, CCE planning, and dispute resolution

Digital Agriculture Mission (AgriStack):

The government has approved the Digital Agriculture Mission, which includes:

1. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agriculture
2. AgriStack development
3. Decision support systems
4. National soil fertility and soil profile mapping

AgriStack will deliver accurate, timely crop-related information to farmers and enhance digital innovation in agriculture.

Key databases to be created include:

1. Geo-referenced village maps
2. Crop sowing registry
3. Farmer registry

States and UTs are being supported with technical and financial assistance for implementation.

Role of MNCFC:

The Mahalnobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) plays a crucial role by using satellite, geospatial, and weather technologies for:

1. Remote sensing-based crop production forecasts
2. Drought monitoring
3. Yield estimation and CCE support for PMFBY

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