Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 1 July 2025 announced the development of India's first AI-driven mobile application exclusively for the agricultural sector, unveiling the initiative on Maharashtra Krishi Diwas (Agriculture Day) at the Krishi Award Distribution Ceremony in Mumbai. The app, to be launched by the state's agriculture department, is aimed at drastically reducing production costs for farmers across Maharashtra.

Key Announcements at Krishi Diwas

'Our agriculture department will soon launch a dedicated app that will prove highly beneficial for farmers,' Fadnavis said at the ceremony. Beyond the AI application, he also declared that all seed varieties will now require mandatory certification through the government's official website — a move designed to eliminate counterfeit seeds and protect farmers from exploitation. Maharashtra, he noted, already allocates the highest budget in the country for agricultural mechanisation, with ₹1,500 crore to ₹2,000 crore committed annually and subsidies of 80% to 100% on farming equipment.

Free Electricity and Solar Push

Fadnavis highlighted that the state government spends ₹28,000 crore annually to provide free electricity to farmers. Maharashtra currently accounts for 60% of all solar agricultural pumps installed across India under the Prime Minister's scheme, leading the nation by a wide margin. At present, 75% of the state's farmers receive daytime electricity; the government has set a target to extend 12 hours of free daytime electricity to all farmers by the end of this year.

Water Conservation and Climate Strategy

Addressing the chronic water stress in Vidarbha and Marathwada, the Chief Minister said water conservation work has been completed in more than 22,000 villages through the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan and the Farm Pond Scheme. These interventions have enabled farmers in several regions to shift from single-crop to double and triple-crop farming. An ambitious flood diversion project has also been launched to channel surplus water to drought-prone talukas of Western Maharashtra and further into the Marathwada region via the Ujani dam. Farmers in climate-vulnerable areas will receive specialised training to adapt to shifting weather patterns. 'We will not let the next generation of Maharashtra suffer the scourge of drought,' Fadnavis asserted.

Long-Term Vision: Self-Reliant Farmers

While acknowledging relief measures such as loan waivers, Fadnavis stressed that the government's ultimate objective is to boost capital investment in agriculture and make farmers financially self-reliant. He described the award recipients at the ceremony as 'true ambassadors of the Agriculture Department,' whose innovative practices and resilience would serve as inspiration across the state. With the AI app, mandatory seed certification, expanded solar coverage, and a drought-free Maharashtra as the stated goal, the announcements collectively represent the most comprehensive agricultural policy package the state has outlined in recent years.