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Affordable agri-tech through PPPs & shared equipment models
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Saturday, 13 December, 2025, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Dr K Anitha
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Outline of Viksit Bharat 2047
Viksit Bharat 2047 reflects the Government of India’s forward-looking vision to elevate the nation to developed status by the time it completes 100 years of Independence. The framework includes key pillars such as economic growth, social progress, environmental responsibility, and transparent governance, marking a crucial phase in India’s developmental journey. Achieving this national goal requires consistent effort, confidence in the country’s future, and an appreciation of the immense skills and potential of its citizens especially its youth. As the largest demographic group, young people are expected to lead the nation’s progress and drive India toward becoming a prosperous and advanced nation by 2047. In alignment with this aspiration, the Prime Minister has urged the youth to contribute actively through the initiative “Ideas from Youth for Viksit Bharat 2047.” This effort aims to motivate students across the country to share their insights and suggestions to strengthen the collective vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and enhance participation on the dedicated national platform.
Affordable agri-tech stands at the heart of India’s developmental vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, a roadmap that seeks to reshape the nation into a technologically progressive, economically secure, and socially advanced country by its 100th year of Independence. With agriculture continuing to support a major share of the population, integrating advanced yet affordable technologies is essential for raising productivity, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainable income for farmers. However, the high cost of machinery, limited rural infrastructure, and fragmented markets often restrict small and marginal farmers who form the majority from accessing modern innovations. Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), combined with shared equipment and service-based models, offer an inclusive way to bridge these gaps by making technology more accessible, lowering farming costs, and strengthening rural economies.
Transforming for Viksit Bharat 2047
 The scope of affordable agri-tech in India is extensive. Mechanisation can be democratised through community machinery banks and custom hiring centres where farmers rent tools such as drones, smart tractors, and harvesters at minimal cost. Digital agriculture, including AI-based crop diagnostics, satellite monitoring, mobile advisory platforms, and online marketplaces, expanded through collaborations where the government provides data infrastructure while private firms deliver innovative solutions. Climate resilient tools such as automated weather stations, real-time forecasting systems, and climate tolerant crop varieties can help farmers adapt to erratic weather patterns. Similarly, improving supply chains through shared cold storage units, packhouses, and improved logistics facilities reduces post- harvest losses and enhances market competitiveness. Strengthen sustainable farming practices through affordable soil testing tools, precision nutrient applicators, and renewable energy solutions offered through shared use or subscription models.
The objectives behind promoting affordable agri-tech through PPPs and shared models align directly with the developmental goals of a future-ready India. These efforts aim to provide universal access to modern tools, reduce financial stress on farmers through pay-per-use or rental systems, improve farm profitability, and support greater market integration. Strengthening rural infrastructure, incubating innovation, and building digital agriculture ecosystems are additional objectives that empower farmers with knowledge, tools, and real-time data insights. Climate resilience is a key priority, with accessible technologies designed to help farmers cope with risks such as droughts, floods, and pest outbreaks. These models also create new employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for rural youth, enabling them to manage drone operations, run soil-testing services, maintain IoT devices, and support digital advisory centres, thereby contributing to economic diversification and improved livelihoods.
Youth-Led Agri-Tech Transformation for a Developed India
Key developments highlight the transformative potential of PPP driven agri-tech adoption. Custom hiring centres and shared equipment hubs allow farmers to utilise expensive machinery without bearing ownership costs, reducing labour dependency and enhancing efficiency. Drone services for spraying, soil mapping, and crop monitoring have become increasingly accessible through rental based models. Digital advisory services that deliver location specific guidance help farmers take timely decisions on irrigation, fertilisation, and pest control. IoT based irrigation systems, moisture sensors, and automated pumps contribute to efficient water use, while shared cold storage units and post-harvest facilities significantly reduce losses and improve crop quality. Financing platforms integrated with government subsidies, simplified digital loans, and credit guarantees further support farmers in adopting new technologies. Skill building programmes run jointly by government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions ensure that farmers and rural youth are well trained to use and manage emerging technologies. The rise of agri-tech startups, supported by favourable policies and investment incentives, is driving continuous innovation across robotics, biotechnology, data analytics, and sustainable farming practices.
Looking ahead, the future of affordable agri-tech in India holds immense promise. A nationwide digital and physical infrastructure for agriculture is likely to take shape, supported by robust PPP networks that ensure reliable connectivity, data availability, and equipment access even in remote regions. Precision farming tools such as drones, sensors, and automated systems are expected to become widespread and affordable through subscription or cooperative based models. Rural entrepreneurship will grow as young people establish service enterprises offering drone operations, equipment rentals, crop advisory, or soil analytics. Climate resilient farming will become the norm through intelligent forecasting, micro-irrigation systems, and climate-adapted crop varieties. With technology enabled supply chains, better logistics, and transparent traceability tools, India’s agricultural exports may strengthen significantly. Farmer Producer Organisations and cooperatives will likely play a major role in adopting shared machinery and digital tools, enhancing bargaining power and improving income stability. Supportive policies, investor facilitation, and innovation-friendly regulations will further accelerate the adoption of affordable agri-tech across the country.
The Future of Farming: Inclusive, Digital, and Sustainable
Promoting affordable agri-tech through Public–Private Partnerships and shared equipment models is essential for realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. These approaches make advanced technology accessible to all farmers, reduce production costs, build rural resilience, and enhance agricultural sustainability. By combining government policy support, private-sector innovation, and grassroots participation, India can create a modern, productive, and inclusive agricultural ecosystem. Empowering farmers with cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally sustainable solutions will play a central role in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. Through collaboration and innovation, the agriculture sector can evolve into a global leader, ensuring economic stability, food security, and prosperity for future generations.
(The author is assistant professor, Department of Pharmacology,
School of Pharmacy and Technology Management (SPTM),
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies [NMIMS] Deemed-to-be-University, Shirpur)
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