MUMBAI, 18 June 2025: In a major policy push towards smart farming, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the MahaAgri AI Policy 2025–29, which aims to transform the state’s agriculture landscape through the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The new policy focuses on building a robust digital ecosystem for agriculture by enabling real-time decision-making and providing timely support to farmers. Key components include the establishment of diverse agro data sets, development of geospatial intelligence, and standardisation of agro-food safety systems. The policy also seeks to offer real-time guidance to farmers and disseminate critical agriculture-related information via digital platforms.
A major highlight is the proposed creation of an Agro Data Exchange (A-DeX)—a data-sharing framework that will connect government and private data sets to empower various stakeholders in the agri value chain. Government databases such as Agristack, Maha Agritech, and Mahavedh, as well as private datasets involving satellite imagery, export trends, supply chain flows, and financial data, will be integrated under this unified exchange.
An official from the Agriculture Department stated, “A virtually integrated system for accessing agricultural resources—Maha VISTAAR AI—will be developed under this policy. This platform will be accessible via digital tools like chatbots, IVRS, and web portals, acting as an open-source agricultural intelligence network.”
The government has earmarked Rs 500 crore for the initial three years of implementation. A formal review of the policy's impact and progress will be undertaken after this period.
To ensure project quality and transparency, a State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) will be responsible for approving AI-led agriculture projects. Meanwhile, a technical committee will assess project feasibility, offer guidance, and recommend financial support. The initial evaluation of proposals will be managed by a dedicated AgriAI Cell.
In a bid to promote innovation and attract young talent, the state will also host competitions like Hackathons to crowdsource solutions for persistent challenges in the agriculture sector, such as climate risk, market inefficiency, and resource wastage.
The MahaAgri AI Policy 2025–29 is a step towards digitising Indian agriculture, ensuring higher productivity, better risk management, and informed decision-making at the grassroots level. Experts believe this move could set a precedent for other states looking to modernize their agriculture systems.
By Jagdish Kumar
