Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Jayant Patil criticized the MahaYuti government’s new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy for agriculture, emphasizing the prioritization of grand events over implementation. The state’s AI policy encompasses institutional restructuring, digital public infrastructure, financial support for AI-based agri-projects, capacity building, and international summits.
During a debate, Patil highlighted a significant gap between policy intentions and practical implementation, pointing out the hurried launch of the “AI for Agri 2026” conference just before the assembly session. He raised concerns about the lack of progress in utilizing the allocated budget for AI, demanding a detailed expenditure report from the government.
Patil also questioned the delay in appointing a Managing Director for the AI and Agritech Innovation Centre, emphasizing the need for progress in establishing innovation and incubation centers in agricultural universities. He stressed the importance of bridging the digital divide to enable AI-driven farming, particularly in regions lacking essential amenities like consistent internet, electricity, and smartphones.
The NCP leader underscored the necessity of addressing market policies to truly benefit farmers through AI-driven initiatives, citing economic challenges such as import pressures and policy volatility. Patil called for stringent laws to safeguard farmers’ land and financial data from exploitation, proposing practical applications of AI in managing human-wildlife conflicts through drone and AI tracking technologies.
Patil concluded by highlighting successful AI pilot projects in agriculture, urging the formation of a dedicated committee to ensure AI positively impacts farmers’ livelihoods.
