Wed Jun 4,
At India’s first International Agri Hackathon in Pune, Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized the numerous challenges faced by the agriculture sector due to ongoing climate change, highlighting that adopting modern technology is the key to overcoming these issues. He stressed the importance of nurturing innovative solutions emerging from the Pune Agri Hackathon and ensuring they reach farmers directly. Fadnavis expressed confidence that advancing this technological revolution in agriculture would significantly boost agricultural productivity
Maharashtra has established itself as a key horticulture center in India, thanks to the combined efforts of the state government and its farmers, said Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He congratulated the state for its record production of grapes, pomegranates, oranges, chickpeas, and various vegetables.
Addressing challenges in horticulture, Chouhan noted the uncertainty over whether plants available for cultivation are disease-free and productive. To tackle this, the Central Government will launch the ‘Clean Plant’ program, aimed at providing farmers with disease-free planting material. Nine such projects will be rolled out across the country, with three projects planned for Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 300 crore. These include facilities in Pune for grapes, Nagpur for oranges, and Solapur for pomegranates.
In addition, modern nurseries will be set up to support technology-driven farming, with Rs 3 crore allocated for large nurseries and Rs 1.5 crore for medium-sized nurseries. These nurseries are expected to produce 8 crore disease-free seedlings annually, helping Maharashtra compete on the global stage. Chouhan also announced international cooperation with countries such as Israel and the Netherlands to implement the program.
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed India, the Minister stressed that modern, productive agriculture and prosperous farmers are vital to realizing this goal. He called for measures to increase yields, reduce production costs, ensure fair prices, and provide compensation for losses.
Chouhan also highlighted the government’s ‘Lab to Land’ initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and farming practices by deploying 16,000 scientists to work directly with farmers nationwide. He expressed optimism that this collaboration will drive significant progress in agriculture.
The Minister concluded by emphasizing India’s ambition to become a global food supplier, with Maharashtra playing a pivotal role. He urged farmers to embrace innovation and contribute to the nation’s development.
The event ended with awards presented to startups, innovators, and farmers excelling in categories such as Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture, Soil and Irrigation Management, Pest and Disease Control, Post-Harvest Technology, and Market Linkages.