Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate said the government is focusing on transforming agriculture through unmanned farming, AI weather forecasting, climate-resilient crops, efficient irrigation, district labs, mobile farm services, and improved storage
According to the state, the MahaKrishi AI Policy is being put into effect to seamlessly integrate modern technology into farming activities. Pic/Mantralya
The Maharashtra government launched the 'MahaKrishi AI Policy' initiative to transform agriculture in the state.
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate said the state government has undertaken various initiatives, including unmanned farming, AI-based weather forecasting, adoption of climate-resilient cropping patterns, and the implementation of efficient irrigation systems for farmers' welfare.
Furthermore, efforts are being made to establish agricultural labs at the district level, deploy mobile vans for farm services, and improve crop storage facilities, the minister said. The overarching aim is to boost productivity using cost-effective and innovative technologies to significantly enhance the lives of farmers, he added.
A workshop on the 'MahaKrishi AI Policy' was organised by the Agriculture Department on Tuesday at the Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium to commemorate Agriculture Day and the birth anniversary of the late Vasantrao Naik. Naik a former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who served from 1963 until 1975. Minister Kokate addressed the gathering during the inauguration ceremony of the initiative. Minister of State for Agriculture Adv Ashish Jaiswal, Principal Secretary Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, and Director of the Nanaji Krishi Sanjivani Project Parimal Singh were also in attendance.
Kokate stated that the government is actively implementing various schemes for farmers' welfare. The MahaKrishi AI Policy is being put into effect to seamlessly integrate modern technology into farming activities, he emphasised, adding that with changing times, there is a clear need for transformation in agriculture.
While the agricultural production in the state has increased, maintaining the quality of produce remains a significant challenge, said Kokate. "Merely using excessive fertilisers is not a sustainable solution for higher yields; it is crucial to provide crops with only the precisely required amount of fertilisers and water," he said.
The minister further stressed that agriculture is poised to undergo profound changes. "The government is committed to providing timely training to farmers, promoting natural farming practices, implementing farmer-centric and sustainable development schemes, and ensuring Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for farm produce," he stated.
State taking farmer-centric decisions for prosperity: Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal
Speaking at the event, Minister of State Adv Ashish Jaiswal highlighted that the government is taking several important decisions for the development of agriculture and farmers.
"Comprehensive compensation is being provided for crop losses, and capital investment in agriculture is being actively encouraged. He added that the MahaKrishi AI Policy is being effectively implemented across the state, underscoring that addressing challenges like fair pricing and market access is essential in today’s agricultural landscape," he said.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Vikas Chandra Rastogi noted that the workshop offered a valuable opportunity to interact directly with farmers and prioritise agricultural development. He reiterated the emphasis being placed on soil testing, the judicious use of fertilisers, and accurate planning from weather forecasting to market access to boost overall productivity and ensure farmer prosperity.
On this occasion, an information brochure detailing the MahaKrishi AI Policy was officially released by the dignitaries present.
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