We recently had the privilege of attending the Bharat Agrinnovation Manthan 2025 program held at Sahyadri Farms, Nashik - a flagship initiative by Digital Impact Square, a TCS Foundation effort aimed at fostering innovation in Indian agriculture. This immersive three-day event was an exceptional forum that convened top minds including innovators, investors, policymakers, and agri-ecosystem enablers to catalyze transformative change at the intersection of agriculture and technology.
Nestled in the fertile landscapes of Nashik, Sahyadri Farms served as more than just a venue; it embodied the future of Indian agriculture itself. With expansive farm plots, innovation labs, and Digital Impact Square’s agri-tech sandbox, the setting provided a real-world context where disruptive startup solutions could be demoed, tested, and scaled. The event was hosted under the aegis of the Nashik District Administration, Maharashtra State Innovation Society, Maharashtra State Agriculture Department, and the Mahastride initiative, reflecting deep government support across policy, innovation, and infrastructural pillars.
Showcasing Groundbreaking Innovation
The innovation expo was a powerhouse of novel agri-tech solutions showcasing India’s vibrant startup ecosystem. The innovation expo showcased a spectrum of startups working on cutting-edge solutions: from autonomous tractors and robotic pruning systems to IoT-enabled smart storages that reduce post-harvest losses. Startups also displayed circular economy models converting agri-waste into biomass energy and value-added products like millet-based snacks and plant-based beverages.
Among other exciting startups were:
- Agrodroid: Modular, farmer-rentable robotic systems automating labor-intensive tasks like cotton picking and soil management, democratizing access to advanced farm automation.
- FlyLab Solutions: Precision drone spraying combined with a community-based model creating local “DronePreneurs” who serve hundreds of farmers, reducing pesticide use and saving millions of liters of water.
- CSK India Mechanic Company: Tractor-mounted implements designed and tested for Indian soil conditions that improve efficiency and reduce manual toil.
- Modern Village Foundation: A tech platform and Smart Village Centres improving soil health, water conservation, and rural employment in multiple states.
- SuggiVeer Innovations: Climate-resilient harvesting tools that reduce labor and losses while increasing farmer incomes with decentralized solutions for crop and fodder management.
Godaam Innovations: IoT-enabled smart cold storage facilities that monitor and control temperature & humidity, drastically reducing post-harvest spoilage and financial losses for perishable commodities like onions.
Beyond the demonstration, enriching discussions unfolded around overcoming adoption challenges for drone technology among smallholder farmers, enhancing sustainability by cutting chemical use with precision spraying, and utilizing real-time geo-data to improve yields. These conversations underscored the critical blend of technology with farmer-centric design principles.
Engaging dialogue: From Policy to practice
Throughout the event, keynotes and panels brought clarity on navigating regulatory pathways and sustainable business models in AgriTech. The launching of Maharashtra’s new Agri AI Policy 2025-29 was a notable milestone, positioning the state at the forefront of digital agriculture with emphases on AI, IoT, generative AI, robotics, and predictive analytics.
A major theme resonating across sessions was the emphasis on scalable technologies that are inclusive empowering women farmers, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and marginal cultivators. The event fostered lively exchanges between startups, investors and government officials on market linkages, financing, and infrastructure that collectively can unlock the potential of India’s vast agri-economy.
One could sense a palpable energy focused on building climate-resilient farming through micro-weather predictions, water-saving irrigation tech, and regenerative agriculture practices—reflecting the urgent need to adapt to shifting environmental realities.
What truly set the Bharat Agrinnovation Manthan apart was its on-farm immersion model, placing farmers and real agricultural challenges at the heart of innovation discussions. The event included a farm tour to showcase new technologies under realistic conditions, enabling cross-learning between startups, researchers and the farming community.
Our takeways
Our experience at Bharat Agrinnovation Manthan strengthened our belief in AgriTech’s promise as a pathway to sustainability, efficiency and inclusivity in Indian agriculture. We had a chance to speak to fellow investors and exchange thesis on various domains of this industry. The journey of reshaping India’s agricultural landscape through technology is well underway, and we are excited to be wholehearted participants in this transformative movement.