Jaipur, October 30, 2025: The Agriculture Innovation Summit 2025, organised by Elets Technomedia in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, Government of Rajasthan, on 30th October in Jaipur, brought together the country’s leading minds in agriculture, technology, and policy for a day of meaningful dialogue on the future of Indian farming. Themed “Empowering Farmers with Technology,” the summit, held in Jaipur, explored how artificial intelligence, digital tools, Internet of Things (IoT), and next-generation technologies are redefining productivity, sustainability, and profitability in agriculture.
The summit provided a vital platform for policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, FPO representatives, and progressive farmers to share insights and chart a path toward a digitally empowered agricultural ecosystem.
The summit saw participation from a distinguished line-up of speakers and experts representing diverse sectors of agri-innovation and policy. Among them were S.S. Shekhawat, Director (Expansion), Agriculture Department, Rajasthan; Radheshyam Sharma, Scientist-C and Head (In-Charge), Meteorological Centre, IMD, Jaipur; Priyanka Singh, Head and Senior Scientific Officer (Chemistry), Uttar Pradesh Council of Sugarcane Research; Dr. Aruna Tiwari, Professor, IIT Indore and Principal Investigator for the AgriHub; Dr. P. Krishnan, Professor and Principal Scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi; and Dinesh Didal, Director (Technology Management), NeGD Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Nitish Thakkar, Vertical Lead – Agriculture, Amnex; Surender Makhija, Strategic Advisor and Senior Vice President, Jain Irrigation; Sovanlal Mukhopadhyay, Assistant Vice President, Amnex; Sonali Ghike, Senior Program Manager, Wadhwani AI. Their participation reflected a collective commitment to reimagining Indian agriculture through innovation and collaborative solutions.
The discussions throughout the summit revolved around several critical themes that define the trajectory of modern agriculture in India. A key focus area was AI-Driven Agricultural Productivity in Rajasthan, where experts discussed how artificial intelligence and data-driven insights are being used to monitor soil health, predict pest attacks, and optimize crop cycles, particularly in the semi-arid zones of the state. The session on IoT, Sensors, Satellite Monitoring, Climate Resilience, and Predictive Analytics examined how smart devices, satellite imaging, and predictive models are helping farmers adapt to climate variability and improve resilience against environmental challenges. Another session on Digital Transformation in Agri Value Chains highlighted how data-driven platforms are creating transparency and efficiency from the point of production to market linkages. Discussions on Skill Development and Employment in AI-Enabled Agriculture underscored the importance of equipping farmers, youth, and rural communities with the knowledge and skills required to use modern technologies effectively. Meanwhile, the session on Financing India’s Agri Revolution emphasised strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through innovative credit schemes, digital inclusion, and financial models that ensure accessibility for small and marginal farmers.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of a special edition of eGov Magazine, titled “Reimagining Indian Agriculture: Powered by Innovation.” The publication, a flagship of Elets Technomedia, captures the essence of how India’s agriculture sector is being transformed through technology-driven approaches — from soil management and crop analytics to data governance and precision farming. The special edition was unveiled in the presence of dignitaries including senior officials from the Agriculture Department, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. P. Krishnan of ICAR, Dr. Aruna Tiwari of IIT Indore, and senior representatives from leading agritech companies such as Amnex and Jain Irrigation. The magazine reflects on the dynamic intersection of tradition and technology, showcasing how Indian agriculture is transitioning from manual practices to intelligent systems that enhance yield, efficiency, and sustainability.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ravi Gupta, Founder and CEO of Elets Technomedia and Editor-in-Chief of eGov Magazine, emphasized the need to integrate technology with traditional farming wisdom. “Rajasthan today stands at the helm of India’s agri-innovation wave — a state where tradition meets technology, where the wisdom of the soil meets the intelligence of data, and where farmers are empowered not just by experience, but by information. With nearly 60% of its workforce engaged in agriculture, the state is redefining how India grows through sustainable, data-driven practices. From drone-based crop monitoring to digital soil health mapping, innovation is transforming every acre. As we move toward Viksit Bharat@2047, let us ensure the farmer remains at the heart of every idea, every policy, and every success story shaping India’s agri-future,” he said.
Dr. P. Krishnan, Professor and Principal Scientist at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, highlighted the expanding role of artificial intelligence in precision agriculture. “AI is one of the most significant breakthroughs in agriculture. What began as image-based analysis has evolved into forecasting disease occurrence, predicting plant health, pest surveillance, and studying pollinators. The idea is to build intelligent systems that complement human expertise — and we are seeing remarkable progress,” he remarked.
Nitish Thakkar, Vertical Lead – Agriculture, Amnex, shared his perspective on the growing role of digital platforms in empowering farmers. “The digital agriculture revolution is taking root across India, and Rajasthan has been a frontrunner in converting challenges into opportunities. At Amnex, we have worked with governments and farmers to enhance yield, improve crop health, and diversify crop patterns using digital intelligence. The goal is to help farmers cultivate smarter and more sustainably,” he explained.
R.C. Meena, Assistant Agriculture Marketing Advisor, Government of India, emphasized the importance of bridging research with grassroots experience. “The role of the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection is crucial in connecting laboratory research with field realities. When we learn from farmers’ experiences, we realize that practical wisdom often refines theoretical knowledge. Every new innovation must integrate the farmer’s on-ground understanding to achieve meaningful progress,” he observed.
Speaking on the critical issue of water management, Surender Makhija, Strategic Advisor and Senior Vice President, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd., noted that “nearly 80% of India’s water is used in agriculture, yet irrigation efficiency remains a challenge. Our focus must shift from irrigation efficiency to value creation per unit of water. Through precision farming and climate-smart practices, we can ensure every drop produces greater value and sustainability.”
Chandu Lal Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Warehousing Corporation, highlighted the need for effective information dissemination at the grassroots level. “The key to modern agriculture lies in accurate and timely information dissemination. Farmers must receive clear guidance on fertilizer use, soil testing, and crop selection. Field officers need to actively engage with farmers to ensure scientific practices reach the grassroots level,” he stated.
The Agriculture Innovation Summit 2025 concluded with a strong consensus that India’s agricultural transformation must be both inclusive and technology-driven. While innovation is the enabler, the real transformation lies in ensuring that every farmer — from the smallest landholder to the largest producer — benefits from these advancements. The deliberations throughout the summit reinforced the belief that digital technologies, when coupled with policy support, skill development, and farmer participation, can accelerate India’s journey toward sustainable and profitable farming.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders on a single platform, the summit showcased Rajasthan’s growing leadership in agricultural modernisation and reaffirmed its role in driving India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. From AI-driven productivity to digital financing, from smart irrigation to satellite-based crop monitoring, the ideas shared at the summit reflected India’s determination to turn agriculture into a technologically empowered, data-informed, and future-ready sector.