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AI roundtable highlights boost for Agriculture
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Wednesday, 10 December, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The second edition of Prosus’ “AI for All: Catalysing Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity” roundtable, recently held in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), spotlighted how Artificial Intelligence can unlock India’s next agricultural transformation. Titled Amrit Krishi: AI for Agriculture, the session brought together senior policymakers, innovators, financial experts and agritech leaders to map AI’s role in enhancing productivity, sustainability and rural employment.
Co-chaired by former IT Secretary and ex-NASSCOM President Rentala Chandrashekhar and renowned agricultural economist Dr. Ashok Gulati, the discussion witnessed participation from NABARD’s V. Balasubramanian, WEF C4IR India’s J. Satyanarayana, Wadhwani Centre’s Prakash Kumar, founders like Shailendra Tiwari (Fasal) and industry leaders including Sanjay Sacheti (Olam India) and Sehraj Singh (Prosus).
Prosus’ VP – Global Policy & Corporate Affairs, Sehraj Singh said, “AI is creating a new class of rural jobs, from drone pilots and soil technicians to crop-advisory experts. India has the talent and digital ecosystem to scale this shift quickly and inclusively.”
Dr. Gulati emphasised that AI-driven precision agriculture is key to India’s next leap.
Gulati added, “By improving the use of water, fertilisers and market data, AI can help farmers produce more from less and secure better value. Aligning robust policy with digital infrastructure will be decisive in raising farmer incomes.”
NABARD’s V. Balasubramanian stressed that AI’s reach depends on strong market linkages and rural entrepreneurship. India’s growing “last-mile tech workforce”, he said, is proof that digital adoption accelerates when tools meet local trust.
Real-world impact was a major highlight. Fasal’s AI deployment across 150,000 acres has saved 83 billion litres of water, eliminated 150,000 kg of pesticide use, and reduced 56,000 metric tonnes of emissions, demonstrating how data-driven advisories can reshape farm decisions. Models such as S4S Technologies’ solar dehydration network—empowering over 3,000 women micro-entrepreneurs—show how technology, financing and market access can expand rural livelihoods.
Participants also underlined the role of digital public infrastructure like AgriStack and land record digitisation in scaling transparent, AI-led services. Insights from the roundtable will contribute to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with a focus on precision farming, climate research, market access and strengthening India’s rural digital workforce.
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