Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Education and Skill Development Jayant Chaudhary jointly inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub and Startup Showcase at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT) in Meerut on July 8, 2025. The initiative aims to revolutionize traditional farming practices by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart agriculture technologies.
The new innovation hub is part of a larger initiative announced in the Union Budget to establish Centres of Excellence in agricultural technology across India. The Meerut facility will serve as a regional hub for tech-enabled agriculture, with technical support and collaboration from IIT Ropar.
Speaking at the launch, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that the future of India lies in its villages and farmlands, and that technology must reach the grassroots to realize the vision of “Viksit Bharat.” He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making technology a central pillar of agricultural reforms and highlighted the importance of innovations such as AI, machine learning, and data analytics in improving agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.
“India’s prosperity still rests on its farmlands. While our services sector has achieved global recognition, the real soul of the nation lies in its fields and barns,” Pradhan said. He added that the new hub would infuse fresh energy into Uttar Pradesh’s farming sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary echoed these views, calling the innovation hub a game-changer for rural India. “True transformation begins when innovation takes root in the soil,” he said, describing the facility as a collaborative platform where farmers, researchers, and startups can co-create sustainable and scalable agri-solutions. He also emphasized the need to balance tradition with modern technology, ensuring accessibility for small and marginal farmers.
The event also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIT Ropar and SVPUAT to promote academic and research collaboration in agritech. A technology demonstration session was held at the university’s Model Smart Farm, and an exhibition showcased 20 agritech startups presenting solutions such as smart irrigation systems and AI-based crop monitoring. Several progressive farmers were also felicitated for adopting sustainable and modern farming practices.
Equipped with IoT-enabled sensors, automation tools, and real-time analytics platforms, the Agritech Innovation Hub is designed to support precision farming. Backed by Rs 75 lakh worth of technical assistance from IIT Ropar’s Cyber-Physical Systems Lab, the initiative also includes training workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions for farmers, organized in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
Officials believe the Agritech Innovation Hub could serve as a model for similar initiatives nationwide, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional agricultural wisdom to build a sustainable, future-ready agricultural ecosystem.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, IIT Ropar Director Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, and SVPUAT Vice Chancellor Dr. K.K. Singh.
