“On June 28, 2025, Gujarat unveiled its ambitious Agri-Tech Training Scheme to empower farmers with cutting-edge agricultural technologies. Aimed at boosting productivity and sustainability, the initiative offers hands-on training in precision farming, drone usage, and AI-driven crop management. With a focus on young farmers, the scheme seeks to transform Gujarat’s agriculture sector, ensuring food security and economic growth.”
Gujarat Launches Agri-Tech Training to Revolutionize Farming
On June 28, 2025, the Gujarat government launched the Future Farmers Agri-Tech Training Scheme in Gandhinagar, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip farmers with modern agricultural technologies. The program, inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, targets young and progressive farmers across the state’s 33 districts, aiming to enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and address challenges like climate change and resource scarcity.
The scheme, backed by the Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Co-operation, is part of Gujarat’s broader vision to integrate technology into agriculture, aligning with the national Digital Agriculture Mission. It offers comprehensive training in precision farming, drone-based crop monitoring, AI-driven pest and yield prediction, and IoT-enabled irrigation systems. Over 50,000 farmers are expected to benefit in the first phase, with training centers established in collaboration with Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU), Anand Agricultural University (AAU), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the state.
Farmers enrolled in the program will gain access to hands-on workshops, digital tools, and subsidized equipment like drones and soil sensors. The initiative also includes modules on blockchain for supply chain transparency and farm management software to optimize resources. Special emphasis is placed on empowering small and marginal farmers, with tailored support for women farmers to ensure inclusivity.
The state has allocated ₹500 crore for the scheme in the 2025-26 fiscal year, with additional funding from central government schemes like AgriStack and the Digital Agriculture Mission. Pilot projects in districts like Gandhinagar and Junagadh have already shown promising results, with trained farmers reporting a 15-20% increase in crop yields using precision farming techniques. The government aims to expand the program to cover all talukas by 2027.
Industry experts have hailed the scheme as a game-changer. Dr. R.K. Patel, Vice-Chancellor of JAU, emphasized that integrating technologies like AI and drones will help farmers adapt to climate challenges while improving profitability. The training also includes financial literacy modules to help farmers leverage Agri-Fintech solutions, such as digital lending and crop insurance, through platforms like AgriStack’s Gujarat Farmer Registry Portal (https://gjfr.agristack.gov.in).
The scheme aligns with Gujarat’s proactive adoption of digital tools, as seen in its successful implementation of the AGR-2 Farm Mechanization Scheme, which provides subsidies for equipment like power tillers and rice transplanters. By combining mechanization with tech-driven training, Gujarat aims to create a new generation of farmers capable of meeting the demands of a growing population, projected to require a 60% increase in food production by 2050, according to FAO estimates.
Local farmers have expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. Ramesh Patel, a farmer from Mehsana, shared, “Learning to use drones for spraying pesticides has saved me time and money. This training will help us compete in modern markets.” The scheme also encourages Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to collaborate with AgTech startups, fostering innovation and scalability.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government announcements, agricultural university reports, and industry insights available as of July 6, 2025. Data and projections are subject to change based on official updates. Readers are advised to verify details through official sources like agri.gujarat.gov.in or agristack.gov.in.