Lauding the strides made in digitising agriculture and harnessing technological innovations, which have been central priorities during India’s G20 presidency this year, India’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, underscored the significance of digitisation in agriculture in bringing the next big green revolution and transforming the agriculture sector into a data-driven, adaptive system that can effectively combat challenges of climate change.
Kant was speaking at the G20 India Agritech Summit 2023 held on Monday in Delhi. The Summit showcased India’s commitment to driving innovation, collaboration and sustainability in the realm of agriculture. The Summit, hosted as part of India’s G20 Presidency, brought together thought leaders, experts and stakeholders from across the globe to explore transformative solutions for the future of farming.
Addressing the opening plenary of the Summit, Kant said, “Transforming the agriculture sector into a data-driven, smart and adaptive to climate change is integral to the transformation of the agriculture sector. This would entail focusing on aspects like open access agricultural data platforms and recognising them as global public goods while co-opting startups and responsible investments from the private and public sectors for enhancing the welfare of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers. G20 members, being the major agricultural producers, consumers and exporters, have come together to take a collective responsibility towards transitioning to a sustainable and resilient agricultural food system. Fundamentally, our ambition should be to transform agriculture, the agri-food sector into a very attractive and lucrative modern business enterprise. This needs to be done by keeping the farmers at the core of digitisation in agriculture, by facilitating affordable access to an inclusive digital infrastructure and by exploring digital tools that cater to the needs of the agri sector.”
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Emphasising the need to create a harmonious database, Kant further added, “The creation of a dynamic database that seamlessly interwinds precise information about farmers’ characteristics and agriculture sector statistics, with a wealth of supplementary information encompassing weather patterns, demand and supply dynamics, market trends, and much more, has the potential to empower our farmers to make informed decisions. The implications of such a harmonised database extend far beyond mere convenience. Stakeholders across various domains, including the policymakers and experts who steer the trajectory of our progress, would find themselves empowered by key insights delivered through this data-sharing network.”
He also drew the Summit’s attention towards the importance of inclusive digital infrastructure and tools tailored to the needs of the agricultural sector.
The Summit represented a crucial juncture in utilising technology to tackle the challenges confronting the agricultural sector. With a strong focus on sustainability, the event emphasised the significance of incorporating policies, technological progress and farmer-centred perspectives. The Summit’s schedule was enhanced by enlightening keynote presentations, dynamic discussions among panels and informative exhibitions that highlighted cutting-edge advancements in agricultural technology. Attendees participated in engaging conversations covering a wide range of subjects, such as policy shaping, sustainable agricultural practices, AI-powered agribusiness and the welfare of farmers. A diverse array of participants, including agritech startups, AI firms, scientists and policymakers, were involved in the four panel discussions hosted during the Summit.
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During the course of the panel discussions, policymakers, industry experts, innovators, farmers and investors paved the way for innovative approaches that can drive positive change across the agricultural landscape. With participants from across the world sharing agricultural experiences and strategies from different regions, the event presented a unique opportunity to gain a range of insights.
The Agritech Summit also recognised outstanding contributions, innovations and initiatives that are shaping the future of agriculture. This spotlight on exceptional efforts served as a driving force for further advancements in the sector.
Through the convergence of technology and agriculture, the summit has established a foundation for sustainable methodologies capable of bolstering food security, elevating livelihoods, safeguarding the environment and digitisation in agriculture. The innovative solutions, collaborations and insights presented during the course of panel discussions serve as the foundation for shaping the future of agriculture on a global scale.
