According to the International Trade Administration, as of mid-2024, there are almost a million combined internet and smartphone users in India. With the widespread adoption of technology in such a populous country, the internet has become an integral part of India’s economy, driving digital payments, e-commerce and even investments in artificial intelligence. In addition to this, 4G has made its way into the country and 5G is gradually expanding to larger parts of the South Asian nation.

While these major advancements in technology are impressive, they aren’t just beneficial to larger, more populated areas of India, such as cities; the usage of modern technology also impacts rural India.

Agriculture’s Role in India’s Economy

A small portion of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from agriculture, at just 18%. However, 44% of the country’s workforce consists of employees in agriculture, despite the decline in the overall percentage of agricultural employment in India since the ’90s. With such a dense portion of the population relying on agricultural jobs, the implementation of ever-evolving technology impacts these jobs.

Technology in agriculture affects multiple aspects of the field. The impacts of technology and agriculture apply to, but are not limited to, aspects such as pesticides and seed technology. In 2017, with the help of the Gram Uttan Project, Raju Kumar Chaudhry, a farmer from Bihar, was able to purchase a subsidized potato planter, which enabled him to reduce labor costs while increasing his crop yield, resulting in savings of around $40 per acre.

Technological Innovations in Indian Agriculture

With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday technology, it is perhaps unsurprising that it has also been applied to the agricultural sector. The SM Sehgal Foundation reports that AI supports farmers by simplifying their decision-making processes. For example, AI-driven climate predictions enable farmers to make informed decisions about their crops, while AI-powered data collection facilitates precision farming practices.

In addition to AI, other technological advancements have supported India’s agriculture. Capacity-building programs allow small farmers to access modern equipment without worrying about affordability. IoT technologies, including drones, satellites and remote sensors, help farmers make informed decisions around the clock, keeping them updated on current weather patterns in their area. Livestock monitoring, using chips and body sensors to track animals’ vitals, helps prevent the spread of infections.

This is particularly important for farmers with large herds, where an outbreak could have devastating consequences.

What’s To Come?

While technological advances aren’t uncommon in India, the country is struggling to roll out the use of AI, especially in the agricultural sector. This is partly due to issues with marginalized farming and fragmented land ownership. However, the SM Sehgal Foundation continues to partner with both organizations and India’s farmers in an attempt to make technology more accessible to India’s agricultural sector, aiming to create a comprehensive food-secure future in India.

– Megan Akers

Megan is based in Fredericktown, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

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