Pune, Nagpur, Solapur Chosen For Clean Plant Centres As Agri Hackathon Wraps Up In City

Pune, June 3:

Despite facing several challenges due to changing climatic conditions, modern technology is the only way to support farmers, stated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He emphasized the importance of incubating the useful technologies developed during the Pune Agri Hackathon and ensuring they reach farmers at the grassroots level.

He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony and prize distribution of the first Pune Agri Hackathon, held at the Irrigation Nagar Ground of the College of Agriculture. Present at the event were Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Horticulture Minister Bharat Gogawale, Agriculture Department Principal Secretary Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, Acting Divisional Commissioner Kavita Dwiwedi, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, among others.

CM Fadnavis noted the rising costs of farming and the shortage of agricultural labor, emphasizing that the use of advanced technology has become crucial. The Hackathon showcased technologies that are highly beneficial to farmers, including irrigation solutions, crop harvesting and spraying techniques, AI-controlled rovers, machine learning for pest control, shelf-life-extending dryers, post-harvest technology, and crop protection from animals. These solutions must be mass-produced and made commercially viable to benefit farmers. He urged the Agriculture Department to set up incubation centers in agricultural colleges and help bring these innovations to the market.

Focus on ‘Clean Plant’ Initiative and Crop Insurance: 

CM Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s significant role in India’s horticultural exports and requested more Clean Plant Initiative centres from the central government. With climate change negatively affecting agriculture, such centres will greatly support farmers. He advocated for crop cover schemes to help mitigate losses due to weather fluctuations and expressed readiness to implement them jointly with the central government.

Take Agri Hackathon Tech to the Fields: 

Suggesting similar hackathons across the state, CM Fadnavis said around 30–32% of India’s startups are in the agriculture sector, and most of them are based in Maharashtra. Agri Hackathons are vital for encouraging these startups. By driving this technology-led revolution forward, farming can become more productive and profitable. He encouraged showcasing the showcased technologies to local farmers.

Maharashtra to Host Most Clean Plant Centres – Union Minister Chouhan: 

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Maharashtra is a key horticultural state where farmers have excelled through innovation and hard work. To ensure disease-free saplings, the Clean Plant program will establish nine centres across the country, with three in Maharashtra – for grapes in Pune, oranges in Nagpur, and pomegranates in Solapur – with an investment of ₹300 crore. These centres will house modern nurseries, which will be handed over to farmers using advanced tech. Each large nursery will receive ₹3 crore, and medium ones ₹1.5 crore. The aim is to produce eight crore disease-free saplings annually, strengthening Maharashtra’s position in global horticulture.

New Agricultural Revolution Through Scientist-Farmer Coordination: 

Chouhan emphasized increasing productivity and reducing costs to make farming profitable. There is active research in multiple Indian labs, which needs to reach farmers. Effective collaboration between India’s 16,000 agricultural scientists and farmers will yield great results. Many farmers are innovating independently and will be honored at the national level. He urged youth to launch agri-startups using new technology and intelligence. He also recommended climate-resilient crop varieties to tackle weather fluctuations.

Bring High-Yield Technology to the Fields – Deputy CM Ajit Pawar: 

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar praised agriculture for supporting the national economy and said the government is committed to empowering the sector. With rising costs, labor shortages, and water scarcity, there’s an urgent need to bring low-cost, high-yield technology directly to farmers. The Pune Agri Hackathon has helped guide profitable farming. More such events will be organized across the state. All stakeholders – government, agricultural universities, NGOs, and farmers – must collaborate to take the innovations to the fields. He urged continuous use of hackathon technologies and maintaining a strong bond with farmers for future innovations.

He also highlighted Pune’s legacy in agriculture, stating that the region played a major role in India’s agricultural journey, from the golden plow used by Jijau and young Shivaji to today’s AI-driven farming. Many researchers and innovative farmers in Pune have contributed significantly. The Hackathon is a milestone in this journey. Over 550 participants applied, and 125 were selected. The government aims to expand opportunities for all applicants in the future.

In the introductory address, Collector Dudi shared the vision behind organizing the Hackathon, which involved numerous agri-related topics. MoUs were signed with various organizations to guide the youth, and students and entrepreneurs explored practical solutions to agricultural challenges. The goal is to take these innovations to one lakh farmers. This innovative initiative also serves as an ideal platform for agri students.

During the event, super juries, jury teams, and knowledge partners were felicitated. Awards were given to startups, entrepreneurs, and innovative farmers in areas such as AI in agriculture, soil and irrigation management, mechanization, fertigation, pest and disease control, post-harvest technology, residue management, agricultural economics, market linkage, and other innovations.

The event was graced by Dr. Sharad Gadakh (Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth), Dr. Indramani (Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University), Dr. Sanjay Bhave (Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth), former VC Dr. Rajaram Deshmukh, former Agri Commissioner Dr. Umakant Dangat, Prashant Girbane (Director General, Maratha Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture), Sandeep Khosla (DG, Bombay Chamber of Commerce), Vilas Shinde (President, Sahyadri Farms), Sanjay Wagh (Deputy GM, Bank of Maharashtra), Chetan Dedia (Nature Group, Israel), and others.