Agri startups blending traditional farming with tech to boost rural health, jobs: Jitendra Singh

IANS April 5, 2025 118 views

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has highlighted the transformative potential of agricultural startups in India's rural ecosystem. These innovative ventures are intelligently combining traditional organic farming practices with cutting-edge technologies to enhance productivity and create new livelihood opportunities. By leveraging scientific tools like drones and soil health cards, these startups are addressing critical challenges in agriculture while promoting health-conscious farming methods. The minister emphasized that this approach is crucial for India's development, positioning farmers as modern agri-entrepreneurs who can drive sustainable economic growth.

"The farmer of today is an agri-entrepreneur. And the field is no longer a place of hardship but a hub of opportunity." - Jitendra Singh
New Delhi, April 5: Startups in agriculture are intelligently blending traditional organic farming practices with technology to drive livelihood opportunities in rural areas, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Saturday.

Key Points

1

Agri startups using science to transform traditional farming practices

2

Organic agriculture emerging as mainstream health-conscious approach

3

Technology like drones and soil cards improving agricultural productivity

4

Startups creating new rural employment opportunities

Addressing the "Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025" at Shankarpalli near Hyderabad, the Minister lauded the efforts of grassroots innovators and farmer-entrepreneurs who are embracing science to scale up agriculture, enhance productivity, and ensure sustainable incomes.

“Startups in agriculture are not just about farming anymore,” Singh said.

“They are applying science, using innovations developed by institutions like CSIR, and adopting tools like drones and soil health cards to make farming more productive and cost-effective. With this, they are cultivating more in less time while safeguarding health and the environment.

“Agri startups are fast emerging as lucrative avenues of livelihood by intelligently blending traditional organic farming practices with cutting-edge scientific technologies,” the MoS noted.

Singh emphasised that organic agriculture, once considered difficult and niche, is now poised to become mainstream-driven because of increasing health concerns and awareness about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides in increasing lifestyle-related diseases.

“Every third person today is either diabetic or has fatty liver. Cancer cases are rising. The possible role of chemically laden produce cannot be ignored. Organic farming is not just a healthier choice, but a necessary one,” the Minister said.

Further, he pointed to the broader impact of agri-startups on employment generation and rural development, citing the success of initiatives like the Purple Revolution and the Aroma Mission.

Singh also spotlighted emerging technologies like the Pheromone Application Device (PAD) being developed by IIT Hyderabad to reduce pesticide usage through eco-friendly pest control methods.

The Minister reinforced that India’s march to become a developed nation by 2047 would be incomplete without uplifting the rural economy and tapping into the vast, underexplored potential of agriculture.

“The farmer of today is an agri-entrepreneur. And the field is no longer a place of hardship but a hub of opportunity,” he said.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
This is such an inspiring read! 🌱 Finally seeing traditional farming get the tech boost it deserves. My uncle in Punjab started using soil health cards last year and his yield improved by 30%! More power to our farmer-entrepreneurs.
R
Rahul S.
While I appreciate the focus on organic farming, I wonder about the scalability. The article mentions drones and high-tech solutions - how will small farmers afford these? The government should ensure subsidies reach the actual farmers, not just startups.
A
Ananya M.
The Pheromone Application Device sounds revolutionary! 🐞 If we can really reduce pesticide use while maintaining yields, it's a win-win for farmers and consumers. Hope IIT Hyderabad gets proper funding to develop this further.
V
Vikram P.
"The farmer of today is an agri-entrepreneur" - what a powerful statement! This shift in perspective is exactly what Indian agriculture needed. My cousin left his IT job to start an organic spice farm and hasn't looked back since.
S
Sunita R.
As someone who switched to organic produce after a cancer scare, I can't stress enough how important this movement is. 💚 The health benefits are real, though the prices need to come down for wider adoption.
K
Karan J.
Great to see focus on rural employment! The Purple Revolution in lavender farming has transformed many lives in Jammu. More such district-specific initiatives could really boost local economies across India.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Agricultural Startups Organic Farming Jitendra Singh Rural Development Agricultural Technology CSIR Health Innovation
You May Like!