AI in Indian agriculture: Can technology make farming smarter and easier?

Veejay Nakra, senior executive at Mahindra & Mahindra outlined the potential of AI, data and automation at the Bharat Agriculture Conclave 2026. He said affordability, accessibility and collaboration would determine how widely Indian farmers adopt these technologies.

In Short

• AI and data can transform Indian agriculture
• Affordability is crucial for technology adoption
• Collaboration needed among agriculture stakeholders

Artificial intelligence, data and automation could change the way India farms, but making these technologies affordable and accessible to ordinary farmers will be key to their adoption, Veejay Nakra, President of Farm Equipment Business and Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra & Mahindra, said.

Speaking at the Bharat Agriculture Conclave 2026, Nakra said agriculture was at a turning point, with semiconductors, computing, AI and data coming together to create new possibilities for the sector.

“Because for the first time, semiconductors, computing, AI, and data are coming together in a way that will change the foundation of farming in the future,” he said.

He said farmers could increasingly use data and information to make decisions, instead of relying only on traditional methods. AI-powered advisory systems, computer vision technology and autonomous tractors could help farmers improve productivity and make agricultural operations easier.

Nakra also pointed to the potential of real-time information on soil health and crop diseases. If farmers can identify problems before they spread and use water more efficiently, technology could help address some of the challenges facing Indian agriculture.

AFFORDABILITY WILL BE KEY

However, the adoption of these technologies will depend on whether farmers can afford them. Nakra said companies had a responsibility to bring solutions to the market that were cost-effective, easy to use and supported by suitable financial options.

“As we bring these technologies to the market for our farmers, it is our responsibility to provide them with cost-affordable, easy, and financial solutions so that their adoption increases,” he said.

The challenge is significant, given the pressure on farmers from climate uncertainty, labour shortages and limited natural resources. Nakra said agricultural companies were developing solutions across areas such as precision farming, micro-irrigation, alternate fuels and next-generation farm machinery.

He also highlighted the role of technologies such as zero-till multi-crop seeding and balers, which can improve efficiency and help protect soil health.

INDIA NEEDS A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Nakra said technology alone would not be enough to transform Indian agriculture. Governments, companies, startups, research institutions, universities and farmer organisations would need to work together.

“Not a single stakeholder will be able to transform Indian agriculture,” he said, calling for a coordinated effort to make smart farming more widespread.

For India, the opportunity is to use technology not just to increase farm output but also to improve the way resources such as land and water are used. Nakra said agricultural success should be measured by the value created across the entire value chain, including storage, logistics, processing and market linkages.

He said the focus should be on building an agricultural sector that is more productive, sustainable and globally competitive, while ensuring that farmers benefit from the changes.

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