Dr. Jitendra Singh Urges Rapid Adoption of Agri-Tech to Boost India’s GDP

Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector by embracing cutting-edge technology and fostering greater synergy among stakeholders, as he addressed the 96th Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society at the NASC Complex in the capital.

Speaking at the high-profile event chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr. Singh underscored that every technology available globally is now accessible within India. “It is no longer about whether technology is available—it is about how fast we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecosystem to add value to our economy,” he said.

The Minister stressed the importance of breaking mental and institutional silos, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not just unaware of new technologies, but also unaware that they are unaware. “Technology in agriculture has progressed rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past 11 years. Yet, its full potential remains untapped at the ground level,” he added.

Pointing to success stories like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 3,500 startups have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr. Singh emphasized how new-age farming—using satellite imaging, remote-controlled tractors, and order-based crop production—is reshaping the agricultural narrative. “From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-season tulips grown for temple offerings, we have examples where science and strategy have combined to generate both income and innovation,” he noted.