India must continuously adapt to new scientific developments to remain globally competitive: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promise of a manifold increase in India’s Agriculture Economy which, according to one estimate , could add around Rs 70,000 crore to the existing annual agricultural economy.

Calling Agri-Startups the defining force of India’s agricultural future, the Minister said the next wave of India’s StartUp revolution must emerge from farms rather than only from technology hubs, enabling agriculture to become a major source of entrepreneurship, employment and wealth creation.

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Dr. Singh was addressing the 17th Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2026, organised with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in New Delhi.

The conclave brought together policymakers, farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, startups and innovators to deliberate on the future of Indian agriculture under the theme, “Feeding the Future.”

Congratulating the organisers for creating a common platform for every stakeholder connected with the agriculture ecosystem, the Minister said such interactions are essential for accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and converting scientific innovations into sustainable livelihood opportunities.

He stressed that agriculture today demands close collaboration among government, industry, research institutions, startups and farmers to ensure that innovation reaches the field and translates into economic gains.

Referring to the rapid pace of technological advancement, Dr. Singh said the agriculture sector can no longer rely on conventional approaches, as technologies are evolving faster than ever before.

He emphasised that India must continuously adapt to new scientific developments to remain globally competitive and ensure long-term food and nutritional security.