Global leaders to gather in JioWorld Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai to advance inclusive AI, women farmers’ empowerment and climate resilience

The Government of Maharashtra announced the launch of AI4Agri 2026, the Global Conference on AI in Agriculture and Investor Summit, scheduled to be held on 22–23 February 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.

AI4Agri 2026 is the inaugural global conference under the AI4Agri platform, a multi-year initiative established by the Government of Maharashtra to catalyse the next generation of agricultural transformation through the adoption of responsible artificial intelligence, frontier digital and emerging technologies, international collaboration, and large-scale investment mobilization.

Anchored in Maharashtra’s pioneering MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029, and supported by a dedicated Rs 500 crore policy implementation allocation, the AI4Agri platform reflects the State’s long-term commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the agricultural sector. Hosting an annual global AI in Agriculture Conference and Investor Summit is identified as a strategic pillar of the Policy, positioning Maharashtra as a global hub for AI-driven agricultural innovation, partnerships, and knowledge exchange.

A Global Convening Platform

Hosted by the Government of Maharashtra, AI4Agri 2026 will convene over 1,500 global leaders spanning artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, agriculture, climate action, investment, research institutions, multilateral development agencies, and the farming community. The Conference is envisioned as a premier global convening platform to build international thought leadership on AI-enabled agriculture, foster collaboration across geographies, and unlock investments in scalable, farmer-centric solutions.

Through structured dialogue and engagement, the Summit will promote global exchange on mainstreaming innovative AI solutions across farms and food systems, accelerate the diffusion of frontier technologies, and enable multi-stakeholder collaboration aimed at building resilient, climate-smart, and future-ready agricultural ecosystems.

Strategic National and Global Alignment

AI4Agri 2026 is honored to serve as an Official Satellite Event of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, aligning strategically with India’s national vision for artificial intelligence. This alignment will leverage the presence of global dignitaries, investors, international organizations, and technology leaders in India during the same week, thereby strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a key contributor to India’s AI ecosystem and significantly amplifying the global visibility of the Summit.

The 2026 edition also draws inspiration from the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers, placing gender-inclusive AI adoption at the core of the Conference agenda. This focus underscores AI4Agri’s commitment to empowering women farmers through responsible and accessible AI tools that enhance productivity, strengthen resilience, expand economic opportunities, and ensure equity in agriculture’s digital transformation.

Distinguished Program Advisory Board

AI4Agri 2026 is guided by a distinguished Program Advisory Board comprising nationally and globally respected leaders from technology, public policy, agriculture, and development. The Board includes Nandan Nilekani, Chairman and Co-founder of Infosys and Founding Chairman of UIDAI; Deepak S. Parekh, Chairman of the H. T. Parekh Foundation; Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India; Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation; J. Satyanarayana, Chief Advisor, C4IR India at the World Economic Forum; Abhishek Singh, Mission Director and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission and Additional Secretary, MeitY, Government of India; and Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director of Sahyadri Farms.

Thematic Tracks and Global Outcomes

The AI4Agri 2026 Conference will be structured across six thematic Tracks, designed to shape the global agenda on AI-enabled agriculture through responsible innovation, inclusive design, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. These Tracks will be delivered through a combination of high-level plenaries, ministerial dialogues, expert panels, technical workshops, roundtables, and innovation showcases.

The Tracks will focus on frontier AI and emerging technologies transforming agriculture and food systems; inclusive AI solutions that empower women farmers and promote equity and leadership; digital public infrastructure for Agri-AI encompassing data governance, trust, traceability, and platforms; investment pathways and market mechanisms for scaling Agri-AI innovation; global scientific collaboration through the AI4Agri Research Network (AI4ARN); and policy pathways and global governance frameworks for responsible AI in agriculture.

A dedicated Global AgriTech Investor Forum will be integrated into the Conference to facilitate direct engagement between policymakers, innovators, startups, agribusiness leaders, and global investors, with the objective of driving concrete investment commitments and accelerating the commercialization of impactful solutions.

Landmark Global Compendium on AI in Agriculture

As part of its role as an Official Satellite Event to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Government of Maharashtra, and the World Bank are jointly preparing a Compendium on the Real-World Impact of AI in Agriculture. The Compendium will document scalable, evidence-based AI innovations that are demonstrably improving agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and farmer incomes across diverse contexts.

The Compendium will be formally released during a dedicated session at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, to be held between 15–20 February 2026, and will be followed by in-depth thematic discussions during AI4Agri 2026 in Mumbai, with select authors and practitioners featured across Conference Tracks.

Shaping the Future of Farming

AI4Agri 2026 marks the beginning of a bold new chapter in global agricultural innovation. Through responsible AI adoption, inclusive design, strategic investment, and international collaboration, the Summit seeks to establish Maharashtra as a global leader in AI-enabled agriculture and a recognized convenor shaping the future of sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems.