India’s dynamic bioeconomy sector, which covers everything from agriculture and forestry to fisheries and aquaculture, is projected to hit an impressive $300 billion by the year 2030, a recent report from NITI Aayog reveals.
A strong agricultural foundation is vital for any nation’s sovereignty, guaranteeing food security for its citizens, the report emphasizes.
Furthermore, transforming the agricultural sector is a cornerstone of India’s ambitious vision to achieve developed nation status by 2047, as detailed in the report titled ‘Reimagining Agriculture: A Roadmap for Frontier Technology Led Transformation’.
The report highlights that beyond simply providing food, Indian agriculture is set to become a significant driver of economic growth, with the bioeconomy sector on track to reach $300 billion by 2030.
During the report’s release, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel shared his insights, stating, “We are committed to creating a seamless ecosystem that effectively integrates technology into every phase of farming. These cutting-edge innovations are proving instrumental in helping our farmers fight crop diseases, boost productivity, and adopt advanced seeds and tools that ultimately reduce cultivation expenses.”
“Digital integration goes beyond just enhancing efficiency; it is fundamentally empowering our farmers,” Mr. Patel further emphasized.
The strategic vision laid out in the report focuses on leveraging groundbreaking technologies. This includes developing climate-resilient seeds, implementing digital twins for optimized management, adopting precision agriculture techniques, utilizing agentic AI, and employing advanced mechanization to significantly boost productivity, ensure sustainability, and increase incomes throughout India’s varied agricultural regions.
NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam noted the inherent diversity among Indian farmers, stressing that technological solutions must be adaptable and reflect these unique needs.
“The true potential of these frontier technologies will be realized through our ability to customize solutions effectively, catering to the specific requirements of smallholder farmers, large-scale commercial cultivators, those growing staple crops, or specialized horticulturists,” Mr. Subrahmanyam explained.
To address this, the report categorizes farmers into three main archetypes: aspiring (70–80%), transitioning (15–20%), and advanced (1–2%). This segmentation allows for the provision of tailored, actionable solutions that are sensitive to the diverse challenges faced by farmers, from small-scale growers to large commercial operations.
Ultimately, the report concludes that with strategic and well-planned interventions, India has the opportunity to achieve unprecedented levels of agricultural resilience, promote inclusive rural prosperity, and secure a globally competitive position in the realm of agri-tech innovation.