Agri Startups Merging Traditional Farming with Technology to Enhance Rural Employment and Health: Jitendra Singh
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Synopsis
Jitendra Singh discussed how agri startups are merging traditional organic farming with technology to enhance rural livelihoods and health, while addressing the Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Agri startups combine traditional practices with modern tech.
- Focus on sustainable incomes and rural job creation.
- Organic farming is becoming mainstream due to health concerns.
- Emerging technologies like drones are enhancing productivity.
- Farmers are evolving into agri-entrepreneurs.
New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) Startups in agriculture are skillfully merging time-honored organic farming methods with advanced technology to create job opportunities in rural regions, stated Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Saturday.
While speaking at the "Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025" held in Shankarpalli near Hyderabad, the Minister praised grassroots innovators and farmer-entrepreneurs who are leveraging scientific advancements to enhance agricultural practices, boost productivity, and secure sustainable income streams.
“Agricultural startups are evolving beyond mere farming,” Singh remarked.
“They are incorporating science, utilizing innovations from institutions like CSIR, and employing technologies such as drones and soil health cards to improve farming efficiency and reduce costs. This approach enables them to produce more in less time while also protecting both health and the environment.
“Agri startups are rapidly becoming viable livelihood options by skillfully merging traditional organic farming techniques with state-of-the-art scientific technologies,” the MoS pointed out.
Singh highlighted that organic agriculture, which was once viewed as challenging and niche, is now on the verge of becoming mainstream, driven by rising health concerns and awareness about the detrimental effects of chemical pesticides, which contribute to increasing instances of lifestyle-related diseases.
“Today, one in three individuals is either diabetic or has a fatty liver. Cases of cancer are on the rise. The potential impact of chemically treated produce cannot be overlooked. Organic farming is not merely a healthier option, but an essential choice,” the Minister remarked.
Additionally, he noted the broader implications of agri-startups for job creation and rural advancement, referencing successful initiatives like the Purple Revolution and the Aroma Mission.
Singh also emphasized the significance of emerging technologies such as the Pheromone Application Device (PAD) developed by IIT Hyderabad to minimize pesticide use through environmentally friendly pest management practices.
The Minister reiterated that India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 would remain incomplete without elevating the rural economy and tapping into the vast, yet largely untapped potential of agriculture.
“The contemporary farmer is an agri-entrepreneur. The agricultural field has transitioned from a place of struggle to a hub of opportunities,” he concluded.
