Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, Oct 5: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the country must move beyond food security and work towards establishing global leadership in agriculture.
Sinha was addressing the 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE) at SKUAST-Kashmir, Shalimar.
The convention, being held from October 5 to 7, focuses on the themes ‘Women-led Engineering Innovations in Smart Farming & AI and Robotics for Gen Z Farming’, along with an international symposium on Smart Farming.
In his address, Sinha said the themes reflected the resolve to move beyond food security towards global leadership in agriculture. He said women are the backbone of agriculture and the allied sector, adding that their leadership in innovation will play a key role in shaping a sustainable future.
He called for collective efforts to empower small and marginal farmers with accessible technology, artificial intelligence and robotics to make farming smarter, sustainable and profitable for Gen Z farmers.
Sinha said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir has made significant progress in holistic agricultural development, while SKUAST-Kashmir has emerged as a leading institution in agri-innovations.
The event was attended by the Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, office-bearers of ISAE, scientists, students and farmers from across the country.
India is positioning itself as a global leader in agriculture by expanding technology-driven farming, increasing agricultural exports and spearheading international policy alliances.
India has led key BRICS initiatives on seed rights and digital agriculture following the adoption of the Indore Declaration. It has also launched the BRICS Land Restoration Partnership to address soil degradation and desertification.
With the support of more than 2,500 AgTech startups, India is integrating artificial intelligence, space applications, precision farming and drone technology, including initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi, to modernise smallholder farming.
India ranks first globally in the production of pulses, millets, dry onions, coconut and spices, and second globally in rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, cotton and tea.
Agricultural and processed food exports have also expanded significantly, reaching $51.1 billion in FY25, with the share of processed food rising to 20.4 per cent.
Initiatives such as the National Mission on Natural Farming, Soil Health Cards, PM-KUSUM for solar-powered farm pumps, and nano fertilisers, including nano-urea and nano-DAP, are aimed at promoting sustainable and low-emission growth.
The Union Budget for 2026-27 allocated Rs 1.45 lakh crore (Rs 1,45,429 crore) to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The sector is also being supported by digital public infrastructure such as e-NAM, which connects 1.8 crore farmers across 1,656 mandis, and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.