At the Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025 in Shankarpalli, Telangana, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the transformative role of Agri Startups in reshaping India’s agricultural landscape.
Agri startups are rapidly emerging as powerful engines of rural prosperity by intelligently combining India’s rich legacy of organic farming with the precision of modern scientific tools, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. Addressing the Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025 near Hyderabad, the Minister emphasized that the confluence of grassroots innovation and cutting-edge technology is rewriting the story of Indian agriculture.
“Startups in agriculture are not just about farming anymore,” Dr. Singh remarked. “They are leveraging innovations from institutions like CSIR, using drones, deploying soil health cards, and exploring eco-friendly solutions to enhance yields while preserving soil health.”
Organic Farming Goes Mainstream
Once seen as a niche practice, organic farming is now finding widespread relevance amid growing health concerns and awareness about chemical residues in food. Dr. Singh pointed to rising incidences of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, fatty liver, and cancer, suggesting a possible link to the consumption of chemically treated produce.
“Organic is no longer optional—it’s essential,” he stated. “Chemical-free farming, enabled by affordable, scalable technologies, is the way forward.”
Rural Entrepreneurship on the Rise
Citing the success of initiatives like the Purple Revolution and Aroma Mission, the Minister noted how lavender cultivation has moved beyond Jammu & Kashmir to other parts of India, thanks to scientific support from CSIR’s Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and IICT Hyderabad.
He also celebrated grassroots entrepreneurship, pointing out that many agri-startup founders are not formally trained in science. “You don’t need a PhD to be part of this revolution. What you need is the will to innovate and the courage to take the first step,” he said.
Floriculture was also highlighted as a promising new avenue. The tulips used in the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were grown at Palampur’s agri-institute, showcasing how scientific farming practices are contributing to both cultural and economic growth.
Technology for a Greener Future
Dr. Singh showcased examples of eco-friendly tech in farming, such as the Pheromone Application Device (PAD) developed by IIT Hyderabad. This innovation promises to reduce pesticide dependence through smart, environment-safe pest control.
Also read: MahaCollab Unites Stakeholders for Circular Textiles
Encouraging broader participation in the innovation ecosystem, he invited agri-preneurs to the upcoming National Startup Expo in Hyderabad (April 22-23), calling it a platform to connect with policymakers, investors, and peers. “The Government is fully supportive—be it funding, technical assistance, or marketing—startups are not alone,” he reassured.
Looking Ahead: Agriculture as an Engine of Growth
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by reiterating the critical role agriculture will play in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047. “The farmer today is an agri-entrepreneur. The field is no longer a place of hardship—it’s a hub of opportunity,” he said.
As agri-startups continue to innovate at the intersection of tradition and technology, they are not only enhancing productivity but also redefining agriculture as a lucrative and sustainable livelihood.