In a historic move, the Government of Maharashtra has unveiled a visionary policy titled “MahaAgri AI”, aimed at revolutionizing agriculture through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With a budgetary provision of Rs 500 Crores for the first three years, this policy is not just timely, it is transformational. It reflects a forward-thinking approach to addressing the challenges of Indian agriculture by merging traditional wisdom with cutting-edge digital technology. This initiative will substantially improve productivity, reduce input costs, optimize resource utilization, and enhance income for farmers, especially in crops like sugarcane, which is the backbone of rural Maharashtra’s economy.
Why MahaAgri AI is a Landmark Policy ?
Government Recognition of AI Potential in Agriculture – The MahaAgri AI policy is a rare blend of bold vision and practical implementation. The ₹500 crore budget demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to innovation-led farming.
Direct Benefits to Farmers –
-Enhanced per hectare productivity by 30–40%, especially in water-intensive crops like sugarcane.
-Drastic reduction in production costs due to better resource optimization.
-Efficient water and power usage, preventing over-irrigation and reducing environmental degradation.
-Timely disease and pest prediction, preventing crop losses.
AI + Sugarcane = Double Advantage for Farmers –
30–40% Increase in Yields: Predictive crop analytics and AI-based agronomic decisions will help farmers achieve higher tonnage per acre.
Reduction in Input Costs: Fertilizer, pesticide, and water usage will be optimized through AI-based advisories.
Sustainable Land Use: Less water usage and reduced salt accumulation will preserve long-term land fertility.
Meeting Ethanol Blending Program (EBP) Targets: Higher availability of cane will support the state and national goals for ethanol production.
Challenges to Execution: Drip Irrigation Coverage – Despite the potential, only 5% of cultivable land is currently under drip irrigation, a critical enabler for precision farming and AI application. Hence, nationwide promotion and financial support for drip irrigation systems are essential to ensure the success of Mahagri AI.
Need for Consolidated Farming Policy – With the shrinking size of landholdings due to the breakdown of joint families, a “Consolidated Farming at Village Level” policy is essential to maximize the impact of AI-based precision farming.
This will:
-Facilitate community-based drip irrigation networks.
-Allow shared resources and equipment for AI implementation.
-Promote data collection and advisory dissemination at the cluster level.
Way Forward:
-Comprehensive Strategy for Implementation
-To translate the vision of Mahagri AI into reality, the following steps are recommended:
Subsidy & Incentive Framework :
-Up to 80% subsidy on drip irrigation for small and marginal farmers.
-Incentives for purchase of AI-enabled sensors, drones, and monitoring devices.
Soft Loan Facilities :
Creation of an Agri-Tech Soft Fund to support farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives.
AI Infrastructure and Data Platforms :
-Village-level digital kiosks or mobile applications for real-time advisory.
-Centralized AI data platforms accessible to agri-extension workers and farmers.
Public-Private Partnerships :
-Engagement with AI startups, agri-tech firms, research institutes (e.g., VSI, WISMA), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Capacity Building :
-Training programs for cane development officers and village-level workers.
-Introduction of AI modules in agricultural universities and diploma courses.
A Roadmap to a Smart Farming Revolution
The Government of Maharashtra has taken a bold leap into the future with MahaAgri AI. But for this transformation to succeed, a holistic ecosystem—including drip irrigation, consolidated farming, technology adoption, and farmer awareness—must be developed with strong institutional backing and financial support. If implemented with vision and vigor, MahaAgri AI has the power to transform Maharashtra into a model state for smart, sustainable, and inclusive agriculture, where every drop of water, every grain of fertilizer, and every minute of a farmer’s effort is optimized to produce more, save more, and sustain more.
P.G. Medhe is the former Managing Director of Shri Chhatrapati Rajaram Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd and sugar industry analyst. He can be contacted at +91 9822329898.
