Maharashtra Unveils ₹500 Crore MahaAgri-AI Policy to Revolutionize Farming Through Artificial Intelligence
18 June 2025, New Delhi: In a bold move that promises to transform the agricultural landscape of the state, the Government of Maharashtra has launched the MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–2029, a first-of-its-kind initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative AI (GenAI), and emerging technologies across the farming value chain. The policy sets a strategic roadmap for AI-led agriculture and aims to position Maharashtra as the national leader in digital farming innovation.
The ambitious policy is backed by an initial budget of ₹500 crore, with provisions for additional funding as implementation progresses. The initiative will focus on solving longstanding issues in agriculture such as declining productivity, water scarcity, market inefficiencies, and the increasing impact of climate variability.
Vision for AI-Driven Agriculture
The policy envisions building a sustainable, inclusive, and technologically empowered agricultural ecosystem. It places farmers at the center of innovation by promoting real-time advisory systems, precision farming tools, and end-to-end traceability platforms.
“We are not just digitizing agriculture; we are reimagining it,” said a senior official from the Agriculture Department. “Maharashtra will become a model for the rest of India by harnessing AI for climate-resilient farming, market access, and farmer prosperity.”
Digital Infrastructure & Innovation Ecosystem
At the heart of the policy is the creation of a Shared Digital Public Infrastructure, featuring:
- Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX): A federated, consent-based data platform to facilitate secure data sharing among stakeholders.
- AI Sandbox Environment: A virtual testbed for startups and innovators to trial solutions under simulated real-world conditions.
- Remote Sensing & Geospatial Intelligence Engine: A high-resolution tool for yield forecasting, waterbody tracking, and drought/flood mapping.
- VISTAAR Initiative: AI-powered multilingual advisories and simulation tools for farmers, integrated with national platforms like Agristack and Bhashini.
- Traceability Platform: A digital system using blockchain and QR codes for food safety and export compliance, initially targeting grapes, bananas, and pomegranates.
Multi-Tiered Governance & Institutional Backbone
The policy establishes a robust institutional framework that includes:
- A State-Level Steering Committee (SLSC) headed by the Chief Secretary to approve and monitor projects.
- A State-Level Technical Committee (SLTC) to evaluate the technical and commercial feasibility of AI proposals.
- A full-time AI and Agritech Innovation Centre to drive implementation, coordinate stakeholders, host hackathons, and monitor outcomes.
Additionally, four AI Research and Innovation Centres will be set up in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) to support solution development, incubation, and real-world field testing.
Focus on Startups, Capacity Building, and Global Outreach
Startups and tech innovators are key to the policy. Dedicated funding, sandbox access, and data integration support will be provided for both early-stage and proven AI solutions. Public-private partnerships are encouraged, and innovation challenges will be launched to address region-specific agricultural issues.
The policy also emphasizes digital literacy among farmers and extension workers. Specialized training modules, fellowships, and hands-on field demonstrations will empower users to adopt AI solutions confidently.
To showcase Maharashtra’s global leadership in Agri-AI, an Annual Global AI in Agriculture Conference & Investor Summit will be held. This event will bring together global stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and startups under one roof to foster collaboration and attract investment.
Four-Phase Rollout: From Foundation to Full Scale
The implementation will follow a phased approach:
- Phase I (T+3 months): Institutional setup and platform architecture development.
- Phase II (T+9 months): Pilot testing in selected districts and early solution rollouts.
- Phase III (T+12 months): Statewide deployment and integration with national systems.
- Phase IV (T+36 months): Policy refinement, third-party assessments, and replication across other sectors.
Budget and Long-Term Commitment
The ₹500 crore budget will be allocated across infrastructure creation, project support, capacity-building, and the organization of global events. The policy will undergo a mid-term review in its third year, ensuring flexibility to adapt to new technologies and evolving ground realities.
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