India's growth story to be powered by agriculture, technology: Experts
Dalian, June 23
India remains one of the world's most important and fastest-growing economies and is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory in the years ahead, experts said on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions being held here.
In an interaction with IANS, Mirek Dušek, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, expressed confidence in India's economic prospects, describing the country as one of the world's most important and fastest-growing economies.
"India is making a significant contribution to global growth, and we remain optimistic about its future. We expect the Indian economy to continue growing strongly in the years ahead," Dušek added.
He said the Summer Davos meeting has brought together innovators, technology leaders, policymakers and business executives from around the world to foster collaboration and identify solutions to global challenges.
Additionally, Dušek emphasised that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and digital platforms have the potential to drive productivity and support global economic growth.
Meanwhile, Prof. Rattan Lal, Padma Shri awardee and distinguished university professor of soil science at The Ohio State University, said agriculture will play a crucial role in India's future growth story as the country continues its rapid economic expansion.
"India is on track to become the world's third-largest economy, and agriculture will play a key role in that growth," Lal told IANS.
In addition, he highlighted the importance of improving soil health and promoting sustainable land management practices to enhance agricultural productivity.
Lal also highlighted the potential of emerging technologies in transforming Indian agriculture.
Artificial intelligence and digital tools can help make soil testing faster, more affordable and more accessible for farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions and improve crop productivity, he said.
The Summer Davos began on June 23 and will conclude on June 25. Global leaders from business, government, academia, and international organisations will come together to discuss the future of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Very encouraging to hear from experts at the World Economic Forum. As someone from a farming family in Punjab, I can tell you that our soil health has deteriorated over the years. If AI can make soil testing affordable and accessible, it would be a game-changer for small farmers. Hope this isn't just talk at a conference - we need actual schemes and subsidies for digital tools in agriculture.
India's growth story is indeed impressive. I've been following the economic indicators - strong GDP growth, rising foreign investment, and a young demographic. The focus on agriculture is smart because despite urbanization, a large portion of India's population still depends on farming. Combining traditional knowledge with modern tech like AI and digital platforms could create sustainable growth.
Good to see Prof. Rattan Lal getting recognition - he's truly one of India's great scientific minds working on soil health. But honestly, we have been hearing about 'agriculture + technology' for years now. The real challenge is reaching the 120 million farmers who still rely on traditional methods. Need to see more ground-level implementation before we celebrate.
I agree with the experts - India's growth story is real and sustainable if we focus on both agriculture and technology. Our startup ecosystem in agri-tech is booming, and companies are already using drones, satellite imagery, and AI for crop monitoring. The Summer Davos platform is perfect for showcasing our potential to global investors. Proud moment for India! 🚀
As someone who works in digital agriculture in the US, I'm excited to see India embracing this approach. The scale is massive -
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