Hold agricultural hackathons to boost economy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed the agriculture ministry to carry agricultural hackathons twice a 12 months to unravel issues within the farm economic system by harnessing info expertise options, an official assertion stated.

At a overview through videoconferencing of agricultural analysis actions, Modi requested these hackathons to be organised for environment friendly options to on-ground issues confronted by farmers, together with for farm administration, farm instrument designs, and crop safety, stated an official, requesting anonymity.

Hackathons are occasions the place software program builders, area consultants, and programmers come collectively to collaborate for creating problem-solving software program merchandise.

Modi additionally held discussions with senior officers of the division of agricultural analysis and extension in addition to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the highest farm analysis physique.

“The Prime Minister directed that start-ups and agri-entrepreneurs need to be promoted to ensure innovation and use of technology in agriculture and allied sectors. He highlighted the need to leverage information technology to provide information on demand to the farmers,” the assertion stated.

Such hackathons ought to “meet design needs for tools and equipment that can reduce drudgery in farming activity, given that a large number of farmworkers are women”, the assertion quoted Modi as saying.

Scientists, who took half within the overview, made shows on India’s preparedness for climate-change-induced agricultural impacts, comparable to heatwaves, droughts, chilly waves, and submergence as a consequence of heavy rains. They showcased numerous varieties developed to face up to these shocks, in response to the assertion.

The nation has seen an increase in agricultural start-ups. “Agritech startups are helping farmers monitor crop and soil conditions using internet of things sensors. Many are using artificial intelligence to forecast sowing time as well as realtime weather inputs,” stated Avi Anand, the director of Agritex Ecosystems, a Bengaluru-based startup.

In addition to the senior officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, the secretaries from departments of agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairy and fisheries have been additionally current within the videoconference overview.

Modi confused the necessity to undertake natural and pure farming practices on a cluster-based strategy.

He lauded efforts to develop crop varieties specializing in particular necessities for agro-climatic zones and confused the necessity to present robust market linkages for higher returns to farmers, the assertion stated.