How is Maharashtra Enhancing Farmers’ Prosperity with Innovative Farm Technology?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Focus on innovative technologies to improve agricultural practices.
- Implementation of MahaKrishi AI Policy to integrate modern farming methods.
- Emphasis on natural farming and sustainable development.
- Capital investment in agriculture is being encouraged.
- Training and support systems are crucial for farmer welfare.
Mumbai, July 1 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate announced on Tuesday that the state government is dedicated to revolutionizing agriculture with the goal of boosting productivity through affordable and innovative technologies to enhance farmers' livelihoods.
During his address at the 'MahaKrishi AI Policy' workshop hosted by the Agriculture Department for Agriculture Day, Minister Kokate mentioned the various initiatives being implemented for the welfare of farmers.
These initiatives include unmanned farming, AI-driven weather predictions, climate-smart cropping methods, efficient irrigation systems, the creation of agricultural labs at the district level, mobile farm service vans, and better crop storage solutions.
“The MahaKrishi AI Policy aims to incorporate modern technology into the agricultural sector. As times change, so must agriculture. Although we have seen an increase in agricultural output, maintaining produce quality is still a significant hurdle. Overusing fertilizers is not the answer for better yields; instead, we must ensure crops receive the precise amounts of fertilizers and water they require,” he stated.
He highlighted that agriculture is poised for major transformations and that the government is committed to offering timely training to farmers, advocating natural farming, launching farmer-centric and sustainable development programs, and upholding Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for agricultural produce.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal noted that the government is making critical decisions for agricultural progress and providing comprehensive compensation for crop losses.
Minister Jaiswal added that capital investment in agriculture is being promoted, and the MahaKrishi AI Policy is actively being rolled out statewide. He emphasized that tackling issues such as fair pricing and market accessibility is crucial in today’s agricultural environment.
Principal Secretary Vikas Chandra Rastogi indicated that the workshop was an excellent opportunity for farmer engagement and prioritizing agricultural advancement.
Focus is being placed on soil testing, judicious fertilizer use, and precise planning from weather forecasting to market access to enhance productivity and ensure farmers’ prosperity.
Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare provided the opening comments. During the event, the information brochure for the MahaKrishi AI Policy was launched by the dignitaries.