CHAPTER 5 105

5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture
ANKUR SETH , formerly with the Confederation of Indian Industry – Jubilant Bhartia Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)
K AVERY GANGULY, Confederation of Indian Industry – Jubilant Bhartia Food and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE)

India is the world’s largest sourcing and unprecedented climate change. Technology: A key driver for sustainable
destination for the information tech- It has been established that technol- agriculture
nology (IT) industry, accounting for ogy adoption modernizes farmers’ India is one of the leading contribu-
approximately 67% of the US$124– production practices and leads to tors to the global food basket. The
130 billion market.1 However, the uniform annual returns for farm- country’s food grain production stood
emergence of farm technologies inte- ers, reduced risk of crop failure, and at 252.23 million tonnes in 2015–16,
grated with a robust information and increased yields.2 and has a record production of 271.98
communication technology (ICT) Direct applications of digital million tonnes in 2016–17.3 India’s
framework is still evolving in India, technology include remote sensing horticulture output—comprising
and it holds tremendous potential to (via satellites), geographic informa- fruits and vegetables, f loriculture,
both positively impact agricultural tion systems, crop and soil health honey, plantation crops, medicinal
performance and enhance farmers’ monitoring, and livestock and farm plants, and spices—was around 283.4
income. The impact of technology management, among other applica- million tonnes in 2015–16, surpass-
in unlocking value for the people tions. At the pre-harvest stage, digital ing food grains and making India
at the bottom of the pyramid and technology can recommend crop and the second largest fruit and vegetable
improving access to critical services input selection and assist in obtaining producer in the world. India is also
is well demonstrated in the healthcare credit and insurance. At the on-farm the world’s largest producer of milk
sector in India, as observed in the case stage, there is need for weather advi- (155.5 million tonnes in 2015–16) and
of mobile technology–enabled tele- sories and disease- and pest-related second largest producer of sugar, and
medicine and low-cost devices that assistance; and at the post-harvest the leading country in coconut pro-
can address health conditions such stage, real-time data on both domestic duction per government estimates.
as anaemia in a large section of the and export markets are needed. The In 2016–17, after two successive years
population. Technology has powered growth of competitive markets and of sub-par monsoons, the growth of
Indian agriculture time and again demand for consistent food quality agriculture and allied sectors in India
by helping overcome productivity is making the adoption of such tech- improved significantly (Figure 1).
stagnation, strengthening market based solutions imperative for the This growth is being primarily driven
linkages, and enhancing farm man- Indian farmer. Much of the scope for by the livestock and fisheries sectors,
agement. In the past, Indian agri- application and innovation remains contributing to the diversification of
culture faced a formidable challenge to be exploited. The application of the production basket towards high-
to grow more food, but it faces an digital technology in agriculture has value foods. Although f luctuating,
even more difficult challenge today been instrumental in promoting data the agricultural growth rate over the
and for the future: to grow more generation as well as the advanced years ref lects the increasing resilience
sustainably and inclusively. Major analytics that allow farmers to make of the sector to natural shocks and
THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

challenges confronting Indian agri- smart decisions about farming and to market volatility, an increase that also
culture include declining total pro- benefit from an economical use of demonstrates the impact of favour-
ductivity, diminishing and degrading inputs and labour. able investments, technology up-
natural resources, a rapidly growing take, and strategic policy efforts.
demand for food (not just for quantity India’s population has nearly dou-
but also for quality), stagnating farm bled since the 1970s; it is currently
incomes, fragmented land holdings, estimated at over 1.2 billion and is
106
5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

Figure 1: Growth rate of gross value added in agriculture and allied sectors, timeline of agriculture productivity
2011–12 base prices in India, when the food grain produc-
tion nearly doubled.9 It is interesting
5
to note that the increase in production
was more a result of an increase in the
4 yield rather than an expansion of cul-
Percentage change year on year

tivated area. Similarly, the white rev-

3 olution led to record milk production
in India and enabled higher returns
2 for dairy farmers. It established a
national milk grid and introduced
1
the crossbreeding of indigenous cows
with high-milk-yielding European
breeds, pasteurization of milk for
0
long-duration storage, and refriger-
ated transport systems to distribute
–1
milk across the country. During the
2012–13a 2013–14a 2014–15b 2015–16b 2016–17c
same period, agriculture machines
Source: Government of India, 2017b; 2017c.
Note: Data are government estimates: a second revised estimate; b first advance estimate; c first revised estimate.
were introduced on Indian farms;
these primarily consisted of tractors
and seed drills to improve produc-
tivity per unit of land and water.
growing at 1.4% annually, putting produce more. Yields of major crops Following the successful adoption
pressure on natural resources such as are low in India compared with those of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton,
land and water to produce enough in other countries. For instance, the India’s cotton production increased
food. Moreover, with rising incomes, rice yield in India is 2.6 tonnes per from 14.0 million bales in 2000–01
a structural change in the dietary pat- hectare—far lower than the 4.7 in to 38.6 million bales in 2014–15;
terns of an average Indian is diversi- China, 3.7 in Brazil, 5.9 in the United it is estimated to be 35.1 million
fying the country’s food demand to States of America (USA), or 9.5 in bales in 2016–17. India became
include high-value foods. According Australia; that of wheat is 3.0 tonnes the largest cotton producer in the
to the National Sample Survey esti- per hectare in India, 5.3 in China, world, accounting for 26% of the
mates for 2011–12, although cereals and 3.1 in the USA; and the maize global production. Yield levels also
account for 26% (20%) of the total and soybean yields are 2.5 and 0.75 increased from 278 kilograms (kg)
food consumption expenditure in tonnes per hectare in India compared per hectare to 511 kg per hectare to
rural (urban) India, high-value foods with 5.9 and 1.8 tonnes, respectively, 568 kg per hectare during the above
(milk, meat, eggs, fish, fruits, and in China.7 periods.10 In 2015, India continued to
vegetables) account for 42% (46%) in Leveraging technology to achieve have the largest area being cultivated
rural (urban) India.4 higher and sustainable agricultural with Bt cotton in the world—11.6
Sustaining food security in India growth is not novel for farmers and million hectares sowed by 7.7 mil-
holds a larger implication for global other relevant stakeholders in India. lion small farmers and an adoption
markets.5 India’s agricultural export Noteworthy are the green revolu- rate of 95%. According to estimates,
value growth rate was the highest in tion (1966–67), the white revolution India enhanced farm income from Bt
the world for the decade ending 2013 (1970–96), and the gene revolution cotton by US$18.3 billion between
(Figure 2), at 21.3%—more than the (in cotton) in early 2000. The green 2002 and 2014 and US$1.6 billion in
THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

average annual percent increase in revolution, which relied on extensive 2014.11

agricultural export value in coun- cultivation of high-yielding varieties In the wake of concerns that
tries such as Indonesia (17.6%), Brazil of wheat, led to a fivefold increase intensive farming adversely impacts
(14.9%), and China (11.8%).6 in production and, as a result, also environmental balance, India will
To respond successfully to the led to rising farmers’ incomes.8 The need to adopt sustainable farming
growing food demand both domesti- three decades from 1973 to 1999 can practices that include employing
cally and globally, India will have to be regarded as the highlight in the efficient irrigation methods with a
 107

5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

simultaneous focus on groundwater Figure 2: Key agricultural exports from India, US$ billions
regeneration, monitoring soil degra-
dation, and adopting energy-efficient
25
production methods. Adopting
advanced technology has helped small
countries, including the Netherlands 20
and Israel. Notably, these countries,
have augmented the production of
high-value crops through enormous 15

US$, billions
productivity breakthroughs and,
even more importantly, by ensuring
10
the optimal utilization of resources
and maintaining the environmental
balance. 5
Currently technologies that cater
to the optimal utilization of resources
0
(particularly those that are linked to
2013–14 2014–15 2015–16
natural resource availability and envi-
ronmental impact), effective market Q Horticulture & fresh fruits & vegetables Q Cereals
linkages for improved service deliv- Q Processed fruits & vegetables Q Other processed foods
ery, and the discovery of the highest Q Animal products
price possible as observed in the case Source: APEDA 2017, statistical data on agricultural exports, available at http://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/indexp/exportstatement.aspx.

of India through the country’s elec-

tronic National Agricultural Market
(e-NAM)—a technology-driven
unified market platform—have a
brighter future in India. The success 2022.12 Although Northern America Among the prominent ventures
of technology adoption lies in cus- will maintain its dominance in the backed by large conglomerates in
tomizing to address particular chal- sector, the fastest growth is projected India is ITC’s e-Choupal, a com-
lenges at the local level, supporting for India and China, which are prehensive digital knowledge hub
institutions and policies to create an expected to see an annual growth for farmers, which has 6,100 instal-
enabling ecosystem, and harnessing rate of 18.29% until 2022.13 lations covering over 35,000 villages
the potential of these technologies The agro-tech start-up ecosys- and serving over 4 million farmers.16
to scale and commercialize within a tem in India has also been receiving Launched in 2000, the first-of-its-
defined time period. renewed interest from investors, and kind initiative not only benefited the
an estimated 34 ventures received farmers doing business through their
US$295 million in investments in network, but this model also led to
An emerging ecosystem of digital 2016 in the country—the highest a ripple effect on the public sector–
technologies in Indian agriculture: investment amount recorded in India managed food grain management
The rise of start-ups and young in the past three years.14 In Asia, China systems that resulted in an upgrade.
entrepreneurial firms had 10 deals totalling US$427 mil- Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M),
The agriculture sector has attracted lion, while 53 Indian start-ups raised one of India’s leading producers of
large conglomerates, leading IT US$313 million and four Japanese tractors and farm equipment, is inno-
companies, investors, and young companies raised US$8.9 million. vating alongside expanding its core
THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

innovators in India; the ecosystem The most active geographies—those business. M&M’s Trringo, a mobile-
for technology and digital solutions is countries with the highest number based app enabling farmers to rent
expanding at an impressive pace. The of agriculture start-ups—remained tractors, is a unique example of lever-
global market for precision agricul- consistent year-over-year, with the aging technology to help farmers use
ture is expected to grow at an annual USA, India, Canada, the United machinery without having to make
growth rate of 13.09% to reach a mar- Kingdom, Israel, and France remain- the large investment (US$7,500) of
ket size of over US$6.34 billion by ing the top six by number of deals.15 buying tractors.17 Through Trringo,
108
5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

the farmers benefit from available lat- do not have spend the time needed Drones and robotics are also
est machines, freeing labour as well to get into town to find this infor- increasingly used in Indian agricul-
as raising productivity and product mation, and because it allows them ture, although the ventures in this
quality. In addition, the farmers are to get competing prices and choose area are still budding and there is a
required to pay only for the services the best one. Other benefits that have long way to go before these tech-
they use without locking any money been recorded are improved access nologies are scaled up in any major
in as capital. This is particularly revo- to information about selecting seed way. Agnext, an Indian start-up, has
lutionary in a country such as India, varieties appropriate to a particular developed drones among other digi-
where agriculture is characterized farm; and how to identify best cul- tal technologies with the objective
by smallholders (who operate on less tivation practices, protect from of creating an integrated hyperlocal
than 2 hectares of land) and who are weather-related damage, and get a farm data collection and crop analyt-
often resource poor and lack access to better handle on plant diseases.20 ics platform.
formal channels of credit. The ‘uber- Digital technology in Indian A number of new start-ups are
ization’ of tractors and farm machines agriculture is not about big box solu- developing solutions to tackle climate
(as some have coined it—a concept tions only. A large number of young change challenges. For example,
similar to uber taxis, which is a plat- entrepreneurs have ventured into this Skymet Weather Services is involved
form aggregating demand and supply sector to tackle specific challenges. in monitoring and predicting weather
of taxi services and connecting both The technology thrust of these and providing agri-risk solutions.23
through a mobile app) has the poten- ventures has been on reducing the Skymet can measure and predict yield
tial to fast-track farm mechanization time duration of crop cycles, saving at the village level for any crop with
and take it to regions within India on water and energy, reducing the a high level of accuracy and can also
where farm sizes are really small, yet usage of agro-chemicals, automat- accurately forecast the weather in
abundant in water and exhibit suit- ing for efficient farm management, the short, medium, and long term.
able soil and climate conditions that strengthening farmer market link- Ecozen Solutions has developed state-
could produce much more than their ages, and improving cold chain logis- of-the-art solar-powered products for
current output. tics for higher value addition. irrigation and cold storage, with the
In another example, Tata Examples of these leading start- aim of catering to smallholder farms
Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s ups include Stellapps Technologies, and regions with limited or no elec-
leading IT firm, offers personalized which is providing dairy farm opti- tricity.24 Barrix Agro Sciences offers
advisory services in voice and visual mization and monitoring services eco-friendly crop protection meth-
formats using communication devices with a special focus on small- and ods that have the potential to mini-
such as mobile phones through its medium-herd farms. Their applica- mize a significant proportion of the
mKRISHI platform. The grow- tions and tools leverage the Internet damage caused by pests and diseases
ing penetration of mobile phones of Things, big data, the cloud, without overdosing crops and plants
in rural regions of India is driving mobility, and data analytics to with chemicals, thus preventing soil
the development of several mobile- improve milk production, milk pro- and water contamination.25
based applications by government curement, and the cold chain, and to There are also ventures that
departments, entrepreneurs, and the boost animal insurance and farmer started out as agri-tech start-ups in
private sector.18 The rural subscriber payments.21 Ekgaon Technologies, India but, owing to their innova-
base in India for mobile services has an IT-based network integrator, tive solutions, are now operating
been growing at steady pace, reach- offers a range of services to farm- as medium-scale businesses. EM3
ing approximately 342 million sub- ers, rural businesses, and women. AgriServices, founded in 2014, has
scribers in 2012–13, 378 million in The ekgaon OneVillageOneWorld quickly risen to become a pioneer
2013–14, and 414 million at the end Network is leveraging mobile com- in the farming-as-a-service (FaaS)
THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

of 2014–15.19 With easier access to munication technology to encour- model. EM3’s Samadhan techno kheti
mobile phones, farmers can connect age the sustainable development of centres offer machines needed to per-
with traders and other farmers. Small women-self-help-groups (SHGs) form all critical farm operations on a
farmers can also utilize their mobile and small farmers across India. The pay-for-use basis.26 At their centres,
phones to seek information on input platform has over 900,000 women the organization employs agri-pro-
availability or market prices, thereby and 300,000 farmers spread across fessionals who are well versed in the
reducing costs—both because they villages in India.22 agronomy of the target area. Another
 109

5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

such noteworthy venture, eKutir programme on start-ups, Startup and fast-tracking the mechanization
Global, offers an online and mobile- India.28 Moreover, large companies of Indian agriculture.
based platform to connect marginal with knowledge about the diversity The budget for 2016–17
farmers with stakeholders across the of Indian agriculture could also sup- announced by the central govern-
value chain such as soil-testing labs, port these start-ups by mentoring, ment confirms its commitment
suppliers of seeds and fertilizers, which would help them pilot and to modernize agriculture systems
banks, exporters, food-processing scale up their activities for potential in India through a slew of mea-
units, and branded retailers. Agri commercialization. sures such as setting up a dedicated
Suite by eKutir offers a one-stop micro-irrigation fund, establishing
solution for all the needs of a farmer; new mini labs in the Krishi Vigyan
their field partners also train farmers Policy and institutions: Key enablers for Kendras (KVKs) agricultural exten-
to use their application.27 Over time, scaling up digital technologies in India sion centre, ensuring 100% coverage
services that go beyond merely sell- India’s present public policy with of all 648 KVKs in the country for
ing a product but that also provide regard to agriculture is focused on soil sample testing, and expanding
training about how to use, maintain, encouraging innovation and entre- the coverage of the e-NAM from 250
and repair that product, as well as preneurship, and out-of-box think- markets to 585 markets.29
supplementary components such as ing towards achieving sustainable According to the Department
advisory and marketing services, higher growth and income security of Industrial Policy and Promotion
have become an increasingly impor- in the farm sector. Because more than (DIPP) of the Ministry of Commerce
tant and integral part of any product 50% of the working population is in and Industry, the Indian agricultural
offering. Technology is playing an agriculture and farm size is shrink- services and machinery sectors have
important role in bringing these ele- ing, the per capita output is small. cumulatively attracted foreign direct
ments together. Thus it is true and desirable that investment equity inf low of about
Despite the tremendous gains people move out of agriculture and US$2,278.3 million from April
achieved, the long-term impact of bring the current percentage of the 2000 to March 2016.30 This reveals
the earlier technology revolutions workforce employed in agriculture the trend of global and domestic part-
was limited to selected agricultural from 54.6 % down many fold. New nerships being forged across the value
pockets in the country, and further forms of engagement have emerged chain to keep agriculture on a path
efforts to advance these revolutions in this sector that could make agri- of fast-track growth. Some notable
lost momentum over time. In the culture more remunerative and developments include the launch of
context of start-ups, the common exciting for the new generation. The an Agritech laboratory with a focus
barriers to commercialization and the government—through its f lagship on agri-biotech in Hyderabad by the
scaling up of technology are related programme Startup India, launched Intertek Group, a UK-based total
to access to finance, which is in turn in 2016—aims to boost start-ups quality assurance provider; Mahindra
related to operational finance, fund- across sectors by providing hand- and Mahindra Ltd acquisition of
ing/capital deficiencies, and cash f low holding services, access to funding, a 35% stake in a Finnish combine
management; gaps in technology and incubation. This programme is harvesters manufacturer, Sampo
infrastructure; and issues concerned of immense significance for the agri- Roselnew Oy; ICRISAT’s plan to set
with cyber security. Furthermore, culture sector. The other f lagship up a Rs.100 crore (US$14.67 million)
limited access to farmer networks for programme—Digital India, which fund in a year to help small entre-
effective piloting of the products is seeks to empower people through preneurs in the agribusiness space;
seen to impede the commercializa- access to digital technology riding and the Indian Farmers Fertiliser
tion plans of start-ups. For innovation an increasingly robust infrastructure Cooperative (IFFCO)’s joint venture
and entrepreneurship to be effective and service platform—has equally with Japanese firm Mitsubishi Corp
THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

in transforming agriculture in India, immense potential to positively for manufacturing agrochemicals in

it will be important to address these impact agriculture. The govern- India.
issues and create an enabling envi- ment has also launched the Custom
ronment in which they can grow and Hiring Centre, a rental model for
f lourish. To a large extent, the effort using tractors and other farm equip- Conclusions
towards this transformation has been ment with the twin objective of A successful future growth strategy
catalysed by the government’s special encouraging rural entrepreneurship for agriculture will need to perceive
110
5: Digital Technologies Transforming Indian Agriculture

agriculture as a business enterprise storage and transport facilities, mak- 22 Information about ekgaon and its
OneVillageOneWorld Network can be
involving constant innovation and ing better roads, and ensuring a con- found at http://ekgaon.co.in/ekg/index.php,
catering to dynamic market demand. tinued electricity and water supply. accessed 11 February 2017.
Although agricultural technologies These system components also facili- 23 Information about Skymet Weather Services
are fast evolving in India and a mix of tate efficient mechanisms for deliv- comes from http://www.skymetweather.
com/, accessed 11 February 2017.
business models are driving the eco- ery and the monitoring of relevant
24 Information about Ecozen Solutions can be
system, there is a need to design the government schemes and extension found at http://www.ecozensolutions.com/
pathway to successful commercializa- services that will accelerate the pace about-us, accessed 11 February 2017.
tion and to scale it up by utilizing the of development. The public policy 25 Information about Barrix Agro Sciences can
right incentives and policy support. regime in India has been supporting be found at http://www.barrix.in/About-Us,
accessed 11 February 2017.
Technology will continue to play an technology-led agricultural growth
important role while the dynamics and has been increasingly developing 26 Information about EM3 AgriServices is
available at http://www.em3agri.com/,
of the agriculture sector changes and new institutions to ease access and accessed 11 February 2017.
produces new challenges. With the affordability of technology adoption 27 Information about eKutir Global is available
private sector playing an increas- among farmers. at http://www.ekutirsb.com/, accessed 11
February 2017.
ingly important role in investments,
operations, and expertise, agriculture 28 Information about Startup India is available at
http://www.startupindia.gov.in/.
will gain immensely as the public Notes
29 Key features of the budget can be found
sector catalyses these efforts. The 1 IBEF, 2017.
at the Government of India’s Union Budget
IT revolution in India was brought 2 Emerick et al., 2016. 2017–18, available at http://indiabudget.nic.
forward by the private sector, with in/ub2017-18/bh/bh1.pdf.
3 Government of India, 2017a.
the public sector creating an enabling 30 GBV, 2017.
4 Government of India, 2013.
environment.
5 If India has to depend on imports, it will
Uptake of technologies at market be difficult to supply enough because the
prices in a sector that has tradition- volume of the need is so high. If India is References
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THE GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2017

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