TLDR: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the approval of the ‘MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029’, a landmark initiative aimed at integrating artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into the state’s agriculture sector. With an initial allocation of ₹500 crore for the first three years, the policy seeks to usher in a new era of data-driven, climate-resilient, and profitable farming for Maharashtra’s farmers.
In a significant move to modernize its agricultural landscape, the Maharashtra Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved the ambitious ‘MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029’. This pioneering policy, sanctioned with an initial outlay of ₹500 crore for its first three years, is set to transform farming practices across the state by leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, computer vision, robotics, and predictive analytics. The Chief Minister emphasized that AI is poised to revolutionize the agriculture sector, making farming more accurate, efficient, and profitable for farmers.
The ‘MahaAgri-AI Policy’ aims to position Maharashtra at the forefront of digital innovation in agriculture. Its core objectives include embedding geospatial intelligence in precision farming, enhancing crop monitoring, forecasting yields, optimizing input use, and providing real-time, data-driven insights to farmers. The policy outlines several key initiatives to achieve these goals:
AI + Geospatial-Driven Farming: This component will utilize satellite imagery, drones, IoT sensors, and remote sensing AI to monitor crop health, forecast yields, map soils, and optimize the use of resources like water and fertilizers.
Agricultural Data Exchange (A-DeX): A federated data platform will be established to integrate existing systems such as Mahavedh, CropSAP, AgriStack, Bhuvan, FASAL, AgmarkNet, and private datasets. This will provide actionable spatial intelligence and comprehensive data to farmers through easy-to-use mobile and online services.
Vistaar – Regional AI Advisory Platform: An AI-powered chatbot, IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System), and web portal named ‘Vistaar’ will deliver real-time agronomic advice, weather alerts, market information, and pest alerts in Marathi and other regional languages.
Blockchain-Enabled Traceability: To boost the marketability of Maharashtra’s produce, especially for exports, a blockchain system will be implemented. This system will track export-quality produce, starting with grapes, bananas, and pomegranates, from farm to consumer using QR codes and geotagged records of fertilizers, farming methods, and quality checks.
Innovation & Research Ecosystem: The policy includes establishing an AI & AgriTech Innovation Centre and R&D hubs at four State Agricultural Universities, in collaboration with premier institutions like IITs and IISc. These centers will incubate technologies in robotics, precision irrigation, and spatial AI, and support startups in the agritech sector.
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To ensure effective implementation, a three-tier administrative framework will be established, comprising a State-Level Steering Committee, a State-Level Technical Committee, and dedicated institutions like the Artificial Intelligence and Agritech Innovation Centre. The policy also allows for periodic updates and amendments over its five-year span, acknowledging the rapid evolution of AI technologies. The government plans to host an Annual Global AI in Agriculture Summit and district-level hackathons to foster innovation and engagement. This comprehensive approach is designed to directly benefit farmers, making farming more modern, secure, and successful, and establishing Maharashtra as a leading hub for AI-driven agricultural innovation.
