Transforming Agriculture with Technology and InclusionAs global populations grow and climate patterns become more unpredictable, we face increas...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
As global populations grow and climate patterns become more unpredictable, we face increasingly complex challenges in securing reliable food and water supplies. Feeding 10 billion people by 2050 will require a 50% increase in agricultural production, even as agriculture already accounts for 70% of global freshwater use. Meeting growing demand for food isn’t just about producing more—it’s about doing so sustainably, equitably, and efficiently.
Advances in technology—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—hold tremendous promise for tackling these intertwined issues. AI-powered analytics and data-driven decision-making can guide more efficient use of water and fertilizers, help farmers select resilient crop varieties, and improve the timing of planting and harvesting. Yet, technology alone cannot deliver transformative, long-term change. Solutions must be tailored to local conditions, affordable for farmers, and trusted by communities. Without broad collaboration among technology developers, policymakers, and local communities, innovation risks leaving behind 500 million small farms—five out of six globally—that produce about a third of the world’s food.
A Platform for Transformation
Uttar Pradesh (UP), India’s top producer of wheat, second-largest producer of rice, and third-largest agricultural exporter, is emerging as a leader in aligning advanced technology with inclusive development. UP’s agricultural sector, largely dependent on small and marginal farmers, faces mounting challenges: declining groundwater levels, unpredictable weather, and rising input costs.
The UP PRAGATI Accelerator, a technical assistance program launched in 2022, brings together the government of UP, 2030 Water Resources Group, the Gates Foundation, and private-sector leaders like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Bayer, and agri-tech startups. By combining global expertise with local knowledge, the Accelerator co-creates solutions to build resilience, conserve resources, and boost productivity for smallholder farmers. Its goal is to support 1 million smallholder farmers across UP’s major crop value chains within five years.
Targeted Innovations for Tangible Results
UP is India’s top sugar producer and second-largest rice-growing state, yet both crops face serious sustainability pressures. Sugarcane farming depletes soil health and water reserves, while rice production’s reliance on stagnant water contributes to groundwater stress and methane emissions.
AI4Sugar and AI4Rice, two precision agriculture initiatives being developed through the Accelerator, tackle these challenges by replacing guesswork with data-driven decision-making. A collaboration between Click2Cloud, UP Diversified Agriculture Support Project—a special purpose vehicle of the government—Microsoft, and 2030 Water Resources Group, these tools integrate satellite imagery, soil health metrics, and real-time weather forecasts. Its platforms provide farmers with tailored guidance on irrigation, fertilizer application, and pest management, enabling them to improve yields, cut input costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For rice farmers, the Accelerator combines this data-driven approach with direct-seeded rice (DSR) cultivation, a proven water-efficient alternative to traditional transplanting. Collaborating with the International Rice Research Institute, the Accelerator supports the development of specialized DSR seed varieties suited to UP’s diverse micro-climates. These seeds feature stronger root systems, drought resilience, and pest resistance, enabling farmers to maintain yields while reducing fertilizer and pesticide use.
The results are promising:
290,000 farmers have adopted precision irrigation, saving 18–35% water while boosting productivity.
DSR adoption has expanded 400% in just one year, from 20,000 hectares in 2023 to 80,000 hectares in 2024, benefiting 200,000 farmers.
These solutions not only conserve vital resources but also enable farmers to access carbon credit markets. Supported by the World Bank Climate Warehouse, the Accelerator is advancing tools to measure, report, and verify carbon and water savings. By monetizing sustainability gains, farmers can reinvest in climate-smart practices.
Digital Revolution in Agriculture
While transformative agricultural practices address sustainability challenges, digital innovation serves as the backbone, enabling precision, accessibility, and scalability to meet the evolving needs of farmers and stakeholders. Beyond the UP PRAGATI Accelerator initiative, in collaboration with private sector and supported by the Gates Foundation, the government of UP is embracing a digital revolution in agriculture to better serve state's farmers. This multi-pronged tech push promises to streamline access to crucial schemes and agricultural services.
At its core is the ambitious Agristack project, establishing three interconnected registries: one for farmers, detailing their demographics and land ownership; another for crops; and a third for land records. This foundation will power "DARSHAN," an integrated web portal where the department can configure and monitor schemes, while farmers can easily discover, apply for, and track their applications. A complementary mobile app will further enhance transparency by recording scheme delivery in real-time, using Aadhaar verification for each beneficiary.
Recognizing the vital role of farmer producer organizations (FPOs), the state has already launched the "FPO Shakti" portal, facilitating market connections and access to government programs. Furthermore, the recently introduced "Kisan Mitra" AI chatbot democratizes agricultural extension services. Initially available to extension workers, this AI-powered tool will soon provide on-demand advisory directly to farmers, putting expert advice at their fingertips. This increased accessibility to schemes, coupled with real-time tracking and AI-powered advice, can lead to improved yields, better market access, and ultimately, enhanced livelihoods for small farm holders and help in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Beyond these farmer-facing initiatives, the state is wisely investing in robust backend infrastructure. A comprehensive monitoring, learning, and evaluation system is being developed to track scheme progress and outcomes, enabling data-driven adjustments to strategies. A decision support system will integrate data from across these various platforms, generating performance reports for analysis. This data will be further scrutinized by a dedicated monitoring center, which will also conduct regular on-the-ground surveys and studies. This holistic approach, combining front-end accessibility with robust data analysis, signals a significant step towards a data-driven, more efficient and responsive agricultural support system with increased transparency.
Building Capacity for Long-Term Success
Sustainable change requires long-term capacity building. The AI and Innovation Driven Entrepreneurship Center of Excellence in Noida, UP—an initiative led by the government of UP in partnership with Microsoft, Samsung, Wadhwani AI, and HCL Technologies—embeds technology adoption within local systems. 2030 Water Resources Group supports the Center by contributing insights on agriculture, ensuring that AI solutions address farmers’ specific needs while delivering actionable tools for climate-smart agriculture. Once fully operational, the Center will deliver localized AI-based rural advisory services in regional languages, promote digital platforms for peer-to-peer renting of farm machineries, and skill development programs to empower the next generation of agricultural innovators, government officials and researchers.
A Collaborative Path to a Resilient Future
As the world navigates climate change and resource scarcity, broad-based collaboration will determine whether technology delivers on its full potential. The UP PRAGATI Accelerator provides a clear model: governments, private companies, researchers, and communities working together to align innovation with local needs.
This collaborative approach ensures that new technologies are not only practical but also equitable—reaching those most at risk. By scaling models like PRAGATI globally, we can harness the intelligent age to secure a sustainable future—one where innovation empowers communities, conserves resources, and creates shared prosperity.
Learn more about how the UP PRAGATI Accelerator is aligning innovation with local solutions to drive sustainable progress. Contact 2030 Water Resources Group to explore collaboration opportunities.
Attached link
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/water/up-pragati-accelerator--a-model-for-inclusive-innovation-in-the-Taxonomy
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Farming
- Sustainable Practices