Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture during his address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He emphasized the challenges faced by food systems globally, including climate volatility, falling water tables, and unpredictable markets, underscoring the significance of agriculture beyond just an economic sector.
CM Fadnavis commended India’s commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He pointed out that agriculture, being central to this mission, is essential for the livelihood, social stability, and national security of over half a billion Indians. The Chief Minister also outlined Maharashtra’s AI-driven initiatives in agriculture, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in providing solutions to challenges faced by small landholders.
Highlighting the need for trusted data and ethical governance in AI, Fadnavis stressed the importance of building AI systems on principles of accountability. He showcased Maharashtra’s AI-powered mobile platform, designed to offer personalized advisories, market intelligence, and access to government services to farmers, acting as a supportive “digital friend.” The state’s model, aimed at being a replicable public infrastructure for India and the Global South, was lauded for its innovative approach in leveraging AI for agriculture.
In collaboration with the India AI Mission, the World Bank, and the Wadhwani AI, a global initiative was undertaken to identify successful AI applications in agriculture across continents. Fadnavis also humorously remarked on the necessity of AI for political opponents and highlighted the significance of the AI Summit in showcasing India’s advancements in AI to the global community. The event specifically focused on AI in agriculture and Maharashtra’s achievements in this sector.
