Prof. (Dr.) G. D. Yadav outlines how AI, climate-resilient crops, and renewable energy can drive sustainable farming systems in India

In an exclusive AgroSpectrum interview, Padma Shri awardee Prof. (Dr.) G. D. Yadav, Former Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, discusses how smart farming technologies can help agriculture adapt to rising climate variability and resource constraints.

Prof. Yadav emphasises that efficient water management, renewable energy adoption through initiatives such as solar-powered irrigation, and improved supply chain planning will be critical to building sustainable agricultural systems. He also notes that mindset barriers, lack of awareness, and infrastructure gaps continue to slow the adoption of advanced technologies among farmers. According to him, cost-effective innovation, supportive government policies, and large-scale production of smart agricultural technologies will be essential to create scalable models for sustainable farming in the years ahead.

How can smart farming technologies—such as IoT sensors, precision irrigation, and data analytics—enhance climate resilience and productivity for farmers facing increasing climate variability?

Smart farming technologies have the potential to significantly transform agriculture at a time when climate variability is becoming one of the most serious threats to global food production. Scientific projections indicate that the world could experience an average temperature rise of around 1.5°C in the coming decades, and this shift will inevitably affect crop cycles, soil health, and water availability. In such a scenario, technology-driven farming systems will be essential for helping farmers adapt.

Artificial intelligence–based solutions are particularly promising in this context. AI-driven data analytics can assist farmers in predicting weather fluctuations, identifying pest and disease outbreaks earlier, and determining optimal sowing or harvesting windows. These insights can improve both productivity and risk management. Similarly, IoT-based sensors can help farmers monitor soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health in real time, enabling more precise interventions rather than relying on traditional guesswork.

Another important area is the development of climate-resilient crops. With rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns, it is critical that agricultural research focuses on designing crop varieties that can withstand extreme conditions such as drought, heat stress, and irregular rainfall. Alongside crop improvement, smart technologies can also support the use of biopesticides and biological crop protection products by ensuring they are applied in the right quantity and at the right time.

However, technology alone will not solve the problem. Agriculture still requires significant institutional support. Government policies, research investment, and extension services must work together to help farmers adopt these solutions. In many countries, agriculture is not yet viewed as a glamorous or attractive profession, which discourages young talent from entering the sector. Changing this perception is important because modern agriculture increasingly requires data-driven decision-making, supply chain understanding, and technological expertise. Ultimately, smart agriculture must integrate farm-level innovations with efficient supply chain management and emergency preparedness to build resilient food systems.

What role can water-efficient technologies like drip irrigation and sensor-based irrigation systems play in addressing groundwater depletion under initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana?

Water management has become one of the most critical challenges not only for agriculture but also for industry and urban development. With increasing population pressure and climate variability, the competition for water resources is intensifying. Agriculture accounts for a significant share of water consumption, which makes efficient irrigation practices essential for long-term sustainability.

Programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana have been designed precisely to address this challenge by promoting “more crop per drop.” Technologies such as drip irrigation and sensor-based irrigation systems can dramatically reduce water wastage while improving crop productivity. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of plants, ensuring that minimal water is lost through evaporation or runoff. Sensor-based systems further enhance efficiency by providing real-time data on soil moisture levels, allowing irrigation only when crops actually require it.

Globally, the concept of Zero Liquid Discharge has gained prominence in industrial water management, where wastewater is treated and recycled rather than discharged into the environment. A similar philosophy can be applied to agriculture. Urban initiatives already demonstrate the potential of water recycling. For example, municipal authorities in cities like Mumbai are increasingly exploring the recycling of sewage water for non-potable uses. If such treated water can be redirected to agriculture, it could significantly reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

In addition to technology adoption, crop selection also plays an important role in water management. Farmers often cultivate crops that require relatively less labour and management effort, such as sugarcane, soybean, or rice, depending on regional conditions. However, water-intensive crops in water-stressed regions can worsen groundwater depletion. Encouraging crop diversification and promoting water-efficient crops must therefore complement irrigation technology interventions.

How can renewable energy solutions, particularly solar-powered irrigation through programs like PM-KUSUM, support sustainable and cost-effective farming systems?

Renewable energy solutions represent one of the most promising avenues for making agriculture both sustainable and economically viable. Programs such as PM-KUSUM aim to promote solar-powered irrigation systems so that farmers can generate their own electricity and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.

The government has announced ambitious plans to deploy a large number of solar pumps and solar panels for farmers across the country. These systems can help farmers operate irrigation pumps without relying on diesel or grid electricity, which reduces operational costs and lowers carbon emissions. Over time, this can significantly improve the financial sustainability of farming operations.

However, one of the challenges associated with solar energy expansion is the capacity of the existing power grid. While farmers may be able to generate electricity through solar panels installed on their land, the ability to transfer surplus energy to the grid depends on whether the grid infrastructure is capable of absorbing that power. In many regions, grid capacity remains limited, which restricts the potential of decentralized renewable energy systems.

To fully realize the benefits of solar-powered agriculture, government agencies must ensure that power distribution infrastructure is upgraded accordingly. If farmers are able to sell excess electricity back to the grid, solar irrigation systems could become an additional source of income. This would not only promote renewable energy adoption but also improve the economic resilience of farming communities.

What barriers—financial, technological, and behavioral—limit the adoption of smart farming solutions among smallholder farmers, and how can these barriers be addressed through policy and innovation?

While smart farming technologies offer significant benefits, their adoption among smallholder farmers remains relatively limited. One of the most important barriers is not purely financial or technological but behavioral. In many regions, agriculture is still not perceived as a modern or aspirational profession. As a result, farmers may be hesitant to invest in advanced technologies or may lack confidence in their potential benefits.

Another challenge is awareness. Many farmers simply do not have access to reliable information about emerging agricultural technologies or do not fully understand how these solutions can improve productivity and profitability. Awareness campaigns and extension services therefore play a crucial role in bridging this gap.

Interestingly, some encouraging trends are emerging in farmer producer organizations (FPOs), where educated women are increasingly taking leadership roles. These organizations demonstrate that when communities receive proper training and institutional support, they are capable of adopting innovative agricultural practices. Expanding such leadership opportunities can accelerate the diffusion of smart farming technologies.

Policy intervention is equally important. Governments must design supportive frameworks that make it easier for farmers to access financing, training, and technology. Subsidies, pilot programs, and public–private partnerships can help reduce the risks associated with adopting new systems. Ultimately, building trust in technology is just as important as making it affordable.

How can integrating climate-smart agriculture practices with digital and renewable technologies create scalable models for sustainable farming in India over the next decade?

The future of sustainable agriculture lies in the integration of climate-smart practices with digital technologies and renewable energy systems. Individually, each of these solutions offers certain benefits, but their true impact will be realized when they are implemented together as part of an integrated agricultural ecosystem.

Cost-effectiveness will be a crucial factor in determining the scalability of these solutions. Technologies that remain expensive or difficult to access will struggle to achieve widespread adoption among smallholder farmers. Therefore, one of the most important strategies for the coming decade will be the mass production of agricultural technologies, which can significantly reduce costs and make them accessible to a larger number of farmers.

In addition to affordability, sustainability will increasingly become the defining challenge for global agriculture. Climate change, water scarcity, and environmental degradation are placing unprecedented pressure on farming systems. Integrating digital technologies such as AI and IoT with renewable energy and climate-smart agricultural practices can help address these challenges simultaneously.

By enabling farmers to monitor crops more accurately, manage water resources efficiently, and reduce energy costs through solar power, integrated smart farming systems can create resilient agricultural models that are both productive and environmentally sustainable. Over the next decade, the success of India’s agricultural transformation will depend on how effectively policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders collaborate to implement these integrated solutions at scale.

— Suchetana Choudhury (suchetana.choudhuri@agropsectrumindia.com)