India’s first International Agri Hackathon recently wrapped up in Pune. The event was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It highlighted new agriculture technologies and announced nine ‘Clean Plant’ projects aimed at promoting disease-free horticulture across the country. Out of these, three projects will be based in Maharashtra with an investment of ₹300 crore.
The ‘Clean Plant’ program aims to provide farmers with healthy, disease-free plants. The focus will be on grapes in Pune, oranges in Nagpur, and pomegranates in Solapur. These projects will also establish modern nurseries to help farmers. With these nurseries, around eight crore disease-free seedlings will be available each year.
During the event, Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised Maharashtra as a leading hub of horticulture. He noted the state’s success in producing grapes, pomegranates, and other vegetables, stating, “Maharashtra has set an example for the rest of India.”
The nursery program will allocate ₹3 crore for large nurseries and ₹1.5 crore for medium-sized ones. Chouhan also discussed the importance of global cooperation, mentioning potential partnerships with countries like Israel and the Netherlands to enhance the program.
The Union Minister stressed that to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India, it is crucial to have prosperous farmers and advanced agricultural practices. He pointed out the need to improve production per hectare, lower costs, and ensure fair prices for farmers’ products.
A key part of the initiative is the ‘Lab to Land’ program. This scheme aims to connect scientists directly with farmers. Chouhan explained that 16,000 agricultural scientists will work closely with farmers to ensure timely access to research outcomes. This collaboration is expected to bring significant improvements to the agricultural sector.
Chouhan also appealed to the youth to engage in agriculture and start their own businesses. He emphasized developing seed varieties that can withstand climate change, ensuring farmers can adapt to challenges.
The Minister’s commitment to making India a food bank for the world was clear. He urged farmers to innovate and contribute to the nation’s development. Maharashtra will play a vital role in this effort.
At the hackathon, awards were given to startups and innovators in agriculture. Categories included AI in agriculture, pest management, and farm mechanization. This recognition aims to encourage further innovation in the agricultural sector.
Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, highlighted the challenges posed by climate change. He underscored the importance of integrating technology in agriculture and stressed the need for immediate action to implement ideas from the hackathon.
Overall, this event marks a significant step towards modernizing agriculture in India. With the launch of the ‘Clean Plant’ projects, there is hope that farmers will have better access to disease-free plants and can increase their productivity. The collaborative efforts between government, scientists, and farmers are essential for the future of agriculture in India.