India’s agriculture sector stands to benefit significantly from the government’s renewed push for innovation and research, as outlined by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. With India achieving the third rank globally in startups over the last decade, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering innovation, allocating Rs 20,000 crore in the 2025-26 Budget for Research, Development, and Innovation. This initiative aims to enhance private sector participation in emerging fields, including agriculture technology, which is crucial for ensuring food security and sustainability.
Speaking at the Post Budget Webinar 2025 on “Investing in Innovation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the government’s efforts in accelerating private sector-led research. The increased funding builds on the Rs 1 lakh crore corpus announced in the previous budget to accelerate research and development, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and geospatial technology.
These advancements are expected to have a transformative impact on Indian agriculture, improving precision farming, soil health monitoring, and climate resilience. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India's Global Innovation Index ranking has jumped from 81st in 2014 to 39th among 133 economies, showcasing the country’s rapid progress in research and technological development. Patent grants have surged 17 times, underscoring the nation’s expanding scientific contributions.
Recognizing the importance of research talent, the government has tripled the intake under the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. This expansion, increasing the number of fellowships from 3,688 to 10,000 over the next five years, is expected to strengthen agricultural research, particularly in climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming practices.
With India’s agriculture sector facing challenges like climate change and resource scarcity, such investments in research will play a pivotal role in securing long-term productivity and food security.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the importance of geospatial technology in economic growth and infrastructure planning. Under the National Geospatial Mission, launched through the 2022 National Geospatial Policy, advanced mapping techniques will aid urban planning, disaster management, and precision agriculture. These technologies will enhance soil health monitoring, optimize resource allocation, and improve crop yield predictions, ensuring better productivity and efficiency for farmers.
Further strengthening India’s agricultural resilience, the establishment of a National Enlarged Gene Bank Replica will help preserve traditional crop varieties, ensure crop diversity, and strengthen food security. Currently, India’s National Gene Bank holds over 4.7 lakh accessions of 2,147 species, ensuring the conservation of traditional crops and safeguarding biodiversity. The Gene Bank will provide researchers and farmers with access to vital genetic resources, aiding in the development of high-yield and climate-resilient crops.
Additionally, the launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to digitize over one crore ancient manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository. This initiative will document and preserve ancient texts, enabling scholars and researchers to explore traditional wisdom and indigenous knowledge that can complement modern innovations.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that these forward-looking initiatives align with the government’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, aiming to transform India into a developed nation. By channeling investments into research fellowships, technological advancements, and digital infrastructure, India is strengthening its position as a global leader in science and technology. With a strong focus on agricultural innovation, these measures will empower farmers, enhance productivity, and secure the nation’s food future, marking a new era of progress and sustainability.
