New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that the Government of Maharashtra is dedicated to fostering comprehensive prosperity within the agriculture sector by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI). This initiative encompasses critical areas such as food security, climate resilience, and women's empowerment.

He stressed the importance of extending AI's reach beyond mere exhibitions and discussions to ensure it impacts the masses effectively.

CM Fadnavis delivered these remarks during a seminar titled 'AI in Agriculture' at the India AI Impact Summit-2026. He conveyed the state's eagerness to partner with the Centre, international research institutions, and investors to enhance farmers' lives through innovative technologies.

The Chief Minister pointed out that global agricultural challenges include food insecurity, unpredictable weather conditions, diminishing water resources, declining soil quality, disruptions in supply chains, and fluctuations in global markets. In this context, AI can serve as a crucial tool. He noted, “For many nations, agriculture transcends economic concerns; it is fundamentally tied to food security, social stability, economic independence, and national security.”

He emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, the India AI Mission prioritizes agriculture by integrating technology, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring inclusivity. “With nearly half of India's population directly or indirectly involved in agriculture, access to timely information regarding climate change, input costs, market prices, and financing is severely limited. AI can bridge these gaps by providing vital data on weather changes, irrigation, fertilizer supply, market trends, and supply chain management,” the Chief Minister remarked.

However, he warned that AI is not a magic solution. He reiterated PM Modi’s vision that AI models should be grounded in reliable data, sound governance, and accountability. Trust is essential for the effective delivery of agricultural services.

To ensure that technology reaches millions, Maharashtra has rolled out the Maha-Agri AI Policy, featuring an open and collaborative framework, a multi-lingual mobile platform offering personalized advice, real-time updates on market trends, climate alerts, and guidance regarding government schemes.

He mentioned that the enthusiastic response from farmers indicates their readiness to embrace AI. “The state is committed to developing AI-based testing, integration, and crop sensing while consolidating all agricultural data for the benefit of farmers,” he added.

Union Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi praised Maharashtra's contributions to the AI landscape, specifically commending the Farmer ID and Digital Crop Survey initiatives.

He mentioned that Maharashtra has introduced AI-driven services through its 'Maha-Vistar' platform (integrated with India-Vistar), offering comprehensive guidance from seeds to market. Currently available in English and Hindi, the service will soon expand to include all regional languages.