Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, stated that the proper use of artificial intelligence can help India's agricultural sector contribute up to 70,000 crore rupees to the economy. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the AI4 Agri 2026 summit in Mumbai.
Dr. Singh noted that nearly 60 crore people across the Global South depend on agriculture and are facing serious challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and health concerns. He said that artificial intelligence can play a transformative role by helping farmers achieve higher yields in less time and at a lower cost. He highlighted the potential of AI in providing real-time weather advisories, disaster preparedness support, predictive crop performance analysis, and early warning systems. He urged stakeholders at the summit to work together to position India as a global leader in AI-driven agriculture.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane also addressed the event.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, State Minister Bharat Gogawale, and other dignitaries were present at the event, which also witnessed the exchange of key MoUs to boost the use of AI in agriculture.
The two-day summit is expected to engage in meaningful discussions on the future of AI in agriculture.