The Press Information Bureau said on 08 Jul 2026: (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promise of manifold increase in India's Agriculture Economy which, according to one estimate, could be to the tune of around Rs 70,000 crore addition to the existing annual agricultural economy.

Calling Agri-Startups the defining force of India's agricultural future, the Minister said, the next wave of India's StartUp revolution must emerge from farms rather than only from technology hubs, enabling agriculture to become a major source of entrepreneurship, employment and wealth creation.

Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2026, organised with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in New Delhi. The conclave brought together policymakers, farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, startups and innovators to deliberate on the future of Indian agriculture under the theme, "Feeding the Future.".

Congratulating the organisers for creating a common platform for every stakeholder connected with the agriculture ecosystem, the Minister said such interactions are essential for accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and converting scientific innovations into sustainable livelihood opportunities. He stressed that agriculture today demands close collaboration among government, industry, research institutions, startups and farmers to ensure that innovation reaches the field and translates into economic gains.

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Referring to the rapid pace of technological advancement, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the agriculture sector can no longer rely on conventional approaches, as technologies are evolving faster than ever before. He emphasised that India must continuously adapt to new scientific developments in order to remain globally competitive and ensure long-term food and nutritional security.

Highlighting India's commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, the Minister said agriculture will play an important role in the country's clean energy transition. He referred to the growing importance of biofuels, renewable energy and other sustainable energy alternatives, recalling the successful initiatives undertaken to convert used cooking oil into biofuel. Such efforts, he said, not only create economic value from waste but also contribute significantly to environmental protection and circular economy practices.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said India has witnessed an extraordinary transformation in its startup ecosystem over the last decade, growing from nearly 350 registered startups in 2015 to over 2.3 lakh startups today, making the country the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. However, he remarked that the true potential of this movement lies in agriculture, where innovation can directly improve farmers' incomes while creating employment for rural youth.

The Minister said the perception that startups are confined to information technology, metropolitan cities or highly qualified professionals needs to change. Agriculture, he said, offers one of the largest opportunities for entrepreneurship in India, where practical knowledge, innovation and willingness to learn are often more valuable than academic qualifications alone. Government support, digital learning platforms and scientific institutions have made technology increasingly accessible even in rural areas.