And for a Friday returning from Mumbai after a very eventful International Agri Conference …..some thoughts …. some musings…..
My friend Raj Agarwal the Managing partner of Ray One Agri consulting staged the fourth edition of India International Agri Business Conference & Expo at the Jio World Convention Centre in BKC Mumbai …… absolutely outstanding venue with world class infrastructure & facilities for the 100 plus participating companies from all over the World ……. in focus was the UK Government participation consequent to the India-UK FTA being already in vogue ….this conference is one of India’s important B2B platforms for Indian Agriculture with particular emphasis on Pesticides, Fertilisers , Biostimulants , Seeds, AgriAviation, AI & Digitization……. for me it was nostalgic & absorbing to meet , interact & deliberate on future of Indian Agriculture which is a sector I am very passionate about …….. Company MDs, subject matter specialists … Agricultural scientists …. AI in agriculture technocrats …. Start Up Entrepreneurs … businessmen …. I enjoyed meeting them all …….
With exports of over 52 Bn $s Agriculture is India’s most important economic sector playing a major role in sustaining rural livelihoods & most importantly food security to a nation of 1.4 Bn people ….. India is the world’s second largest producer of Rice ( 150 MnT), Wheat ( 128 MnT.) , Fruits & Vegetables ( 115MnT.) & a host of other cereals & crops ……but what got my attention most was the success of Microsoft’s various experiments with AI tools & applications …… its huge early adoption & the incredible intuitive Indian farmer’s ability to assimilate new age technology to improve his farm output & productivity ……. Azure Data manager….Farm Vibes.AI ….Agripilot.ai ….. the combination of whether station info , Soil sensors , Satellite imagery & drone scans …. all help in optimising crop yields ,reducing water wastage , realtime warning on Pests & diseases , correct herbicides usage , optimal fertilisation etcetc will raise Indian Agri output to unimaginable proportions …. not only to meet the country’s rising demands for higher nutritive foods but to meet the Global Souths challenges for food security ……
Indian Agriculture will be the catalyst ….. transforming India from a developing to a Developed nation ….. let us all partake in the journey …… the involved way ……the knowledgeable way …. the SEEGOS way.