Telangana’s Industries and IT Minister, D. Sridhar Babu, recently announced the state government’s ambitious vision: to transform agriculture into a more profitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient sector. This transformation will be powered by cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and sophisticated data analytics.
During a meeting with representatives from Germany’s Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) at the State Secretariat, Minister Sridhar Babu emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment. He stated, “Our administration is dedicated to lowering cultivation expenses and significantly reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.”
According to a release from the Minister’s office, the primary objective is to empower small and marginal farmers by enabling them to embrace innovative technologies. This initiative aims to enhance agricultural productivity, alleviate financial pressures, and safeguard the environment.
Minister Sridhar Babu underscored agriculture’s critical role in Telangana’s economy, noting that over 55% of the population depends on farming for their livelihood, and the sector significantly contributes to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). He further highlighted Telangana’s burgeoning status as a global hub for advanced technologies. “This distinctive blend,” he explained, “allows us to establish Telangana as a pioneering model for digital agriculture.”
Ongoing initiatives include the deployment of advanced soil sensors, sophisticated early warning systems, and AI-powered analytics. These tools are designed to assist farmers in reducing pesticide use, cutting down on input costs, and adopting more sustainable farming practices. The Minister affirmed Telangana’s goal to become a national leader in digital agriculture by effectively integrating these cutting-edge technologies with its small and marginal farming communities.
Additionally, Mr. Sridhar Babu reviewed the progress of the ‘Accelerating Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Telangana’ project. This initiative, guided by Fraunhofer HHI, has been successfully implemented over the past two years in three villages near Vemulawada. He encouraged the German institute to broaden the project’s scope, extending its benefits to more farmers across the state.
The meeting saw participation from several key figures, including Volker Kleima, Head of the Food and Agriculture Division at the German Embassy in New Delhi, alongside Fraunhofer HHI representatives Sebastian Bosse and Raghu Chaliganti. Also in attendance were M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Commission, and Anvesh Reddy, Chairman of the Telangana State Seeds Corporation.