Transforming agriculture Digital revolution and addressing food security and nutrition on the global stage
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Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI
Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the G20 under the India’s presidency is making the entire nation proud. Everyone has a feeling of pride. Entering the era of “AmritKaal”, India has embarked on a transformational journey towards development espe- cially in the Agriculture Sector. The agricultural sector has always been at the forefront of human pro-gress, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and economic stability. With the advent of digitalization and emerging technologies, the agriculture sector is witnessing new wave of transformation. This digital revolution has the potential to take agriculture to the next level while helping governments and stakeholders tackle pressing challenges related to food security, the environment, and socio-economic development.
At the heart of this transformation lies the concept of Open Public Digital Infrastructure, a critical enabler for effective, synergetic, and scalable digital solutions in agriculture. Embracing open standards and interoperability, Digital Public Goods hold the potential to drive inclusive growth, foster cooperation, and facilitate international trade by reducing costs and expediting adoption. One such example of digital public goods can be found in the innovative initiatives developed by the Government of India, including the India Stack and the Aadhar ecosystem, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the National Health Stack.
The application of similar digital public infra- structure in agriculture promises to revolutionize farming practices and enhance farm productivity through sustainable methods. Services like Real-time Advisory, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and, Remote Sensing will strengthen digital infrastructure and reduce digital divide in agriculture sector. Easy access to financing and other resources levels the playing field, especially for small and marginal farmers. It enables them to compete effectively, expand their operations, and invest in cutting-edge agricultural technologies.
To fully harness the potential of digitalization in agriculture, policies that encourage data sharing and openness in the agricultural sector must be promoted. These policies should revolve around data-driven, intelligent, dynamic, and interconnected systems that engage all stakeholders, both public and private, from farm to fork. The G20 member nations also committed to collaborate with all stakeholders and strengthen capacity-building efforts, including dissemination of digital tools and technology and promoting its adoption by farmers, especially by marginal, small holders, family farmers, women, youth, indigenous peoples as applicable, ageing farmers and other underrepresented groups.
The cross-border and international exchange of experiences will provide insights for the use of digital technologies in agriculture and improve food systems.
The involvement of both the public and private sectors, through science, technology, and innovation (STI) initiatives, can invigorate the technological and digitally enabled agri-food system. Agri-tech start-ups have a significant role to play by providing innovative and affordable solutions that address challenges throughout the agricultural value chain, using open digital networks.
The potential of open digital networks, powered by cutting-edge and emerging technologies, invites us and calls upon us to take decisive action. It is a call that requires a multi-dimensional, multi-stakeholder, and collaborative approach. Only through such collective efforts we can unlock the transformative potential of digitalization in agriculture, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for farmers and the broader agricultural ecosystem. The time for action is now, and it is a call we must heed for the betterment of agriculture and global food security.
India is not only focusing on transforming Agri- culture through digital revolution but also reiterating its commitment to address both food security and nutrition on the global stage. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the brainstorming held in the G20 meetings chaired by India is being discussed all over the country and the world.(To be contd)
Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the G20 under the India’s presidency is making the entire nation proud. Everyone has a feeling of pride. Entering the era of “AmritKaal”, India has embarked on a transformational journey towards development espe- cially in the Agriculture Sector. The agricultural sector has always been at the forefront of human pro-gress, providing sustenance, livelihoods, and economic stability. With the advent of digitalization and emerging technologies, the agriculture sector is witnessing new wave of transformation. This digital revolution has the potential to take agriculture to the next level while helping governments and stakeholders tackle pressing challenges related to food security, the environment, and socio-economic development.
At the heart of this transformation lies the concept of Open Public Digital Infrastructure, a critical enabler for effective, synergetic, and scalable digital solutions in agriculture. Embracing open standards and interoperability, Digital Public Goods hold the potential to drive inclusive growth, foster cooperation, and facilitate international trade by reducing costs and expediting adoption. One such example of digital public goods can be found in the innovative initiatives developed by the Government of India, including the India Stack and the Aadhar ecosystem, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the National Health Stack.
The application of similar digital public infra- structure in agriculture promises to revolutionize farming practices and enhance farm productivity through sustainable methods. Services like Real-time Advisory, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and, Remote Sensing will strengthen digital infrastructure and reduce digital divide in agriculture sector. Easy access to financing and other resources levels the playing field, especially for small and marginal farmers. It enables them to compete effectively, expand their operations, and invest in cutting-edge agricultural technologies.
To fully harness the potential of digitalization in agriculture, policies that encourage data sharing and openness in the agricultural sector must be promoted. These policies should revolve around data-driven, intelligent, dynamic, and interconnected systems that engage all stakeholders, both public and private, from farm to fork. The G20 member nations also committed to collaborate with all stakeholders and strengthen capacity-building efforts, including dissemination of digital tools and technology and promoting its adoption by farmers, especially by marginal, small holders, family farmers, women, youth, indigenous peoples as applicable, ageing farmers and other underrepresented groups.
The cross-border and international exchange of experiences will provide insights for the use of digital technologies in agriculture and improve food systems.
The involvement of both the public and private sectors, through science, technology, and innovation (STI) initiatives, can invigorate the technological and digitally enabled agri-food system. Agri-tech start-ups have a significant role to play by providing innovative and affordable solutions that address challenges throughout the agricultural value chain, using open digital networks.
The potential of open digital networks, powered by cutting-edge and emerging technologies, invites us and calls upon us to take decisive action. It is a call that requires a multi-dimensional, multi-stakeholder, and collaborative approach. Only through such collective efforts we can unlock the transformative potential of digitalization in agriculture, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for farmers and the broader agricultural ecosystem. The time for action is now, and it is a call we must heed for the betterment of agriculture and global food security.
India is not only focusing on transforming Agri- culture through digital revolution but also reiterating its commitment to address both food security and nutrition on the global stage. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the brainstorming held in the G20 meetings chaired by India is being discussed all over the country and the world.(To be contd)