New Delhi, Feb 20 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday underscored the crucial impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the agricultural sector during his address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

While speaking at the summit, CM Fadnavis remarked, “We gather at a significant juncture. Food systems globally are under pressure, climate volatility is on the rise, groundwater levels are depleting, soil health is diminishing, supply chains are unstable, and international markets are uncertain. For nations in the Global South, agriculture transcends being just an economic domain — it embodies livelihoods, social cohesion, and national security.”

The Chief Minister reaffirmed India’s dedication to leveraging technology for inclusive growth under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “The India AI Mission aims to utilize technology to promote inclusion, transparency, and scalability. Today, agriculture must be central to this mission. Over half a billion Indians are directly or indirectly reliant on agriculture, yet small landowners encounter fragmented information, escalating input expenses, climate unpredictability, and restricted access to credit and markets.”

Detailing Maharashtra's AI-driven agricultural initiatives, he mentioned, “Traditional extension methods, despite their commitment, cannot keep pace with the scale and speed needed. AI alters this dynamic. It can furnish hyperlocal weather forecasts, early alerts for pest outbreaks, precision irrigation and fertilization recommendations, crop-based credit assessments, transparent supply chains, and real-time market insights. However, AI is not a miracle solution. As our PM articulated in his opening speech, ‘AI must be founded on reliable data, ethical governance, and public accountability. Without trust, scalability will not materialize.'”

The Chief Minister described the state’s AI-enhanced mobile platform, which provides multilingual, tailored advisories, market intelligence, and access to government resources, serving as a “digital ally” for farmers.

“This illustrates one fundamental truth: Farmers are open to AI when it is designed with their needs in mind,” he asserted.

He also referenced early-warning systems for cotton producers through geospatial analytics and subsequent monitoring, labeling it as “predictive governance in action.”

CM Fadnavis stated that Maharashtra’s approach is being crafted as a replicable public infrastructure model for India and the Global South.

In collaboration with the India AI Mission, the World Bank, and Wadhwani AI, a global initiative for AI use cases in agriculture led to a compilation of successful real-world applications from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond, unveiled on February 17 in Delhi.

Taking a jab at political rivals, Fadnavis humorously noted, “I would simply like to suggest that they require AI the most, as at times when human intelligence is lacking, AI can offer assistance.”

He concluded, “The ongoing AI Summit holds immense significance for our nation. It showcases India's advancements in AI to the global arena. Particularly at a time when AI is swiftly progressing and transforming various sectors, having global leaders in India to witness the country’s capabilities and engage in AI discussions is profoundly important. Our session specifically concentrated on AI in agriculture and Maharashtra’s accomplishments in this sector.”