Karnataka set to overhaul its farming sector using technologies developed by its own innovators

Karnataka is set to transform its farming sector by exploring the power of digital technologies created by its own innovators to empower and increase the incomes of its smallholder farmers, women farmers, tenant cultivators, and others in the farming fraternity, according to a report made available at TiE Global Summit here on Wednesday.

“A mindset shift is needed to view farmers as entrepreneurs and contributors to the economy, not just beneficiaries of government schemes. Agriculture must be positioned as an exciting career for the youth, integrating technology and business innovation,” said a call for action report titled ‘Unlocking farmer-centric digital agriculture’ jointly prepared by the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, The World Bank, The Agri Collaboratory, and TiE Bangalore.

Parmesh Shah, Global Lead for Data, Digital Agriculture and Innovation at The World Bank, said based on his experience across 29 countries, building a five-year roadmap with a focus on institutions and use cases would help accelerate progress on data governance and targeted data sharing for specific areas such as agri finance, climate-smart solutions, and soil rejuvenation. “AI and digital tech in agriculture can turn farmers into entrepreneurs and Karnataka into a global agri-food leader,” Dr. Shah said.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for IT and BT, recommended a three- to five-year roadmap for Karnataka to enable an integrated approach across silos and government departments to leverage current and new programmes across sustainability, water, circular economy, etc. to target higher exports of farm goods, farmer profitability, and sustainability practices.

The Minister also proposed an annual agri-tech forum in Karnataka for start-ups and recommended thought leaders from other States and nations should be involved in brainstorming and showcasing best practices, technologies, and use cases for digital and data-led innovation in agriculture.

“Agriculture forms the backbone of Karnataka’s economy, and as we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, digital transformation offers a path to revitalising this crucial sector. We recently held a multi-stakeholder workshop to unlock the potential of farmer-centric digital agriculture through partnerships and innovation,” said Ekroop Caur, Secretary, IT, BT, and Science and Technology, Karnataka.

According to the report, the insights gained through various stakeholder dialogues emphasised the need for institutional infrastructure, such as a Digital Agriculture Centre of Excellence, and innovative tools such as Agri Sandboxes and Data Exchanges to propel Karnataka’s agricultural sector forward.

“We recognise that smallholder farmers, women farmers, and tenant cultivators must be at the heart of our strategies,” said Ms. Caur.

Digital agriculture held immense potential to not only enhance productivity and sustainability but also to significantly support the farmer community, particularly small and tenant farmers, the report emphasised.

“By leveraging technology, we can improve their incomes, strengthen resilience against climatic and market challenges, and empower them with data-driven tools and solutions tailored to their needs,” it said.

Karnataka’s call for action workshop also stressed the importance of prioritising green finance and implementing farmer-friendly solutions to enable a data-driven, climate-smart approach to agriculture.

Published - December 11, 2024 11:27 pm IST