Agritech poised to redefine agriculture in India    

 By Dr Prashant Khande, COO, FASAL Centre of Entrepreneurship, Software Technology Parks of India

Despite the enormous potential of the agritech industry, issues like lack of knowledge, fragmented land ownership, and digital literacy still exist. But thanks to initiatives and rising smartphone adoption, startups are getting beyond these obstacles to spur innovation and growth. By 2025, Indian agritech companies will have resolved current agricultural problems and established a standard for the global agritech industry. 

The agritech sector in India is experiencing a dynamic transformation, driven by technological advancements, innovative business models, and supportive government policies. As one of the world’s largest agrarian economies, India has become a hotbed for agritech startups, leveraging technology to address critical challenges in agriculture. We as STPI FASAL CoE are working very aggressively on agriculture technologies startups to shape their organisation and the future of agriculture in India.  

If we talk about the current status of agritech startups in India, then we can say thatIndia hosts over 1,500 agritech startups, a number that has been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25 per cent over the last five years.Startups are addressing critical challenges like productivity, market access, and supply chain inefficiencies.Significant funding inflows, with over $2 billion invested in agritech in the past three years, indicate robust investor confidence.The adoption of digital tools, automation, and data analytics is rising among farmers, supported by government initiatives like Digital India. Here are the latest trends shaping the Indian agritech landscape in 2025;

AI and Data-Driven Farming: Agritech startups are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Big Data to optimise farming practices. From predictive analytics for weather forecasting to disease detection in crops and livestock, AI-powered solutions are empowering farmers with actionable insights to improve yields and reduce losses. Our Amravati-based (Tier-III City) startup is working on disease detection in crops and getting good responses through various showcase events. 

IoT-Enabled Smart Agriculture: The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising precision agriculture in India. Startups are deploying IoT-based devices such as soil sensors, water management systems, and climate monitoring tools to enable data-driven decision-making. These technologies help in resource optimisation, reducing costs, and enhancing sustainability.

Drone Technology: Drones have gained widespread adoption for tasks such as crop monitoring, aerial mapping, pesticide spraying, and yield estimation. With advancements in drone regulations and affordability, agritech startups are leveraging drones to provide cost-effective solutions to farmers.

Sustainable and Organic Farming Solutions: Sustainability is a significant focus in 2025, with startups promoting organic farming, vertical farming, and hydroponics. These methods address land scarcity, climate change, and the growing demand for chemical-free produce. Startups are also innovating in creating bio-fertilisers and bio-pesticides. One of our startups is working on aeroponic technologies and building a small portable structure from which you can take your daily vegetables from your structure at your home. Hydroponic systems will soon be one of the alternatives for organic farming. 

Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency: Blockchain technology is being utilised to bring transparency to the agricultural supply chain. Agritech startups are creating platforms where farmers, traders, and consumers can trace the journey of produce from farm to fork, ensuring authenticity and fair pricing. Two of our startups are working on this and are coming up with proper solutions in 2025 in India. 

Market Linkages and Digital Platforms: E-commerce platforms tailored for farmers are on the rise. These platforms connect farmers directly with buyers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring better price realisation. Many startups are also providing real-time market intelligence and advisory services via mobile apps.

Agri-Fintech: Fintech solutions tailored for agriculture are addressing the financial needs of farmers. Startups are offering micro-loans, crop insurance, and investment platforms based on farmer credit scores and crop data, making financial services more accessible to the rural population.

Agri-Biotech Innovations: Biotechnology is being leveraged to develop high-yielding crop varieties, genetically modified seeds, and pest-resistant crops. Startups are focusing on innovation to tackle issues such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change.

Focus on Agri-Mechanisation: Automation is playing a key role in reducing labour dependency. Agritech startups are developing affordable farm machinery, such as robotic harvesters and automated planters, to cater to small and marginal farmers. Electric Bull is one of the innovations that is developed by our startups and getting good responses across the nation. 

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 By Dr Prashant Khande, COO, FASAL Centre