NewKerala.com

Bengaluru Should Be Agri Tech Capital Like IT Hub: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that Bengaluru should become the capital of agricultural technology, mirroring its success as an IT hub. He emphasized leveraging advancements like artificial intelligence to ensure comprehensive development and connect farmers with new technologies. The CM expressed concern over youth leaving agriculture and stressed the need to make farming profitable through government schemes and industry partnerships. He also highlighted the revival of the Krishi Bhagya scheme and significant investments in agricultural loans and infrastructure.

Key Points: Bengaluru Should Be Agri Tech Capital Like IT Hub: CM

  • Siddaramaiah wants Bengaluru to be Agri Tech capital
  • Tech like AI must benefit farmers
  • Krishi Bhagya scheme revived after BJP halted it
  • Rs 70,000 crore loans given to 83 lakh farmers
2 min read

Bengaluru should be Agri Tech capital like its IT hub: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says Bengaluru should become the capital of agricultural technology, leveraging AI and innovations to benefit farmers.

"Innovations in agriculture must reach every farmer - CM Siddaramaiah"

Bengaluru, April 24

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that Bengaluru should emerge as the capital of agricultural technology, just as it has become a global hub for the information technology sector, stressing that innovations in agriculture must reach every farmer.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 'Global Agri Tech Summit-2026' organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in the city.

Highlighting the importance of technology in agriculture, the Chief Minister said the state must leverage advancements, including artificial intelligence, across sectors to ensure comprehensive development. He noted that initiatives such as the summit play a crucial role in connecting farmers with new technologies and practices.

Calling for greater participation, Siddaramaiah said more farmers should take part in such programmes. He appreciated the exhibition on organic farming and agricultural machinery organised as part of the summit, though he suggested that such exhibitions could be held separately for better impact.

Emphasising the need to make agriculture viable, he said India is an agrarian country and ensuring sustainability and profitability in farming should be a key priority. He expressed concern that many young people are moving away from agriculture, adding that they would naturally return if it became profitable.

The Chief Minister said the government has introduced several schemes to improve farm incomes and urged industries to join hands in strengthening the agriculture sector.

Referring to the Krishi Bhagya scheme, he said it was introduced to support farmers, especially those with dry land holdings. He noted that Karnataka has a large extent of dry land and ranks second among such states. He alleged that the previous BJP government had halted the scheme, which has now been revived by his administration.

He added that agricultural loans worth Rs 70,000 crore have been provided to around 83 lakh farmers. He also said that Rs 8,000 crore was allocated last year for infrastructure development under the Chief Minister's programme.

Stressing the need for higher investment, Siddaramaiah said that while Karnataka ranks first in industry and rural development, investment in the agriculture sector must also increase. Only then can agriculture become truly profitable, he added.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting idea, but Bengaluru is already bursting at the seams with IT companies and traffic. Adding an agri-tech hub on top might just complicate things further. Why not develop this in tier-2 cities like Mysuru or Hubballi where land is cheaper and farmers are closer?
K
Kavya N
Good speech, but actions speak louder. Rs 70,000 crore in loans is impressive, but what about the interest burden on farmers? And reviving Krishi Bhagya is welcome, but why did the previous government stop it in the first place? Hopefully this isn't just pre-election rhetoric. 🤔
M
Michael C
As someone working in agri-tech, this is a great move. India needs to modernize farming with AI, IoT, and precision agriculture. But the CM is right - we need to make it profitable for young people to stay in farming. Right now, the numbers just don't add up for most smallholders.
A
Aditya G
Siddu is right about one thing: our youth are leaving farming in droves. My own cousin sold his 2-acre plot near Kolar and moved to the city. If agri-tech can make farming profitable again, it could reverse this trend. But will the industrial houses actually invest in rural Karnataka? That's the real question. 🚜💡
T
Tanya I
I appreciate the vision, but we need more than summits and speeches. The last 'agri-tech' push in Karnataka mainly benefited middlemen and large farms. Small farmers with rain-fed dry land - like my parents in Chitradurga - still struggle with basic issues like water and market access. Technology

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50