Kurukshetra Magazine August 2025 | Monthly Yojana & Kurukshetra Magazine (English) - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 2


KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
1
1
AGRICULTURE 4.0 – TOWARDS 
AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION
1. Importance of Agriculture in India
• Employment: Employs 42.3% of India’s 
workforce.
• Contribution to GDP: Around 18.2% of national 
GDP.
• Challenges faced:
 ¾Low productivity and yield gaps (20–60% 
lower than global averages).
 ¾ Heavy dependence on monsoon (52% farming 
rainfall dependent).
 ¾Fragmented small landholdings (89.4% 
farmers own <2 ha).
 ¾ High post-harvest losses (0.92% – 15.88% 
across crops).
 ¾ Volatile farm incomes.
 ¾ Livestock sector issues: lack of fodder, animal 
healthcare gaps, weak supply chains.
II. Need for Transformation
• Rising demand for food security with a growing 
population.
• Technology adoption can increase farmer 
incomes, ensure sustainability, and enhance 
efficiency.
• Digital Agriculture: Use of AI, IoT, blockchain, 
robotics, big data for precision farming, reducing 
waste, climate resilience, and market linkages.
III. Concept of Digital Agriculture
• Two complementary paradigms: Together, 
they form the foundation for Agriculture 
4.0 – empowering farmers while upgrading 
institutional frameworks.
           (i) Smart Farm Digitisation (farm-level):
 ¾ IoT-based soil/crop sensors.
 ¾ Drones for spraying/imaging.
 ¾ Automated irrigation.
 ¾ Mobile-based farm management platforms.
 ¾ Goal: Transform farms into responsive, 
precision-driven production units.
(ii) Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation (ecosystem-level):
 ¾ Satellite-based crop monitoring.
 ¾ Weather forecasting.
 ¾ Blockchain-enabled supply chains.
 ¾Digital platforms for market access, credit, 
subsidies, and insurance.
 ¾ Goal: Strengthen governance, transparency, 
and systemic support.
IV .  Smart Farm Digitisation – Key Aspects
• Adoption Gap: Low adoption in India compared 
to Japan, South Korea, China.
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KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
1
1
AGRICULTURE 4.0 – TOWARDS 
AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION
1. Importance of Agriculture in India
• Employment: Employs 42.3% of India’s 
workforce.
• Contribution to GDP: Around 18.2% of national 
GDP.
• Challenges faced:
 ¾Low productivity and yield gaps (20–60% 
lower than global averages).
 ¾ Heavy dependence on monsoon (52% farming 
rainfall dependent).
 ¾Fragmented small landholdings (89.4% 
farmers own <2 ha).
 ¾ High post-harvest losses (0.92% – 15.88% 
across crops).
 ¾ Volatile farm incomes.
 ¾ Livestock sector issues: lack of fodder, animal 
healthcare gaps, weak supply chains.
II. Need for Transformation
• Rising demand for food security with a growing 
population.
• Technology adoption can increase farmer 
incomes, ensure sustainability, and enhance 
efficiency.
• Digital Agriculture: Use of AI, IoT, blockchain, 
robotics, big data for precision farming, reducing 
waste, climate resilience, and market linkages.
III. Concept of Digital Agriculture
• Two complementary paradigms: Together, 
they form the foundation for Agriculture 
4.0 – empowering farmers while upgrading 
institutional frameworks.
           (i) Smart Farm Digitisation (farm-level):
 ¾ IoT-based soil/crop sensors.
 ¾ Drones for spraying/imaging.
 ¾ Automated irrigation.
 ¾ Mobile-based farm management platforms.
 ¾ Goal: Transform farms into responsive, 
precision-driven production units.
(ii) Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation (ecosystem-level):
 ¾ Satellite-based crop monitoring.
 ¾ Weather forecasting.
 ¾ Blockchain-enabled supply chains.
 ¾Digital platforms for market access, credit, 
subsidies, and insurance.
 ¾ Goal: Strengthen governance, transparency, 
and systemic support.
IV .  Smart Farm Digitisation – Key Aspects
• Adoption Gap: Low adoption in India compared 
to Japan, South Korea, China.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
2
• Challenges addressed:
 ¾ Pest Control: 30–35% crop losses due to pests; 
climate change worsens attacks (10–25% yield 
loss per +1°C rise).
 ¾ Water Management:
 ? 70–80% farmers depend on groundwater 
irrigation.
 ? 17% groundwater blocks overexploited, 
5% critically depleted.
 ? IoT sensors can cut water use by ~50%.
 ¾ Nutrient Management: Optical sensors apply 
precise fertilisers, reducing overuse.
 ¾ Weed Management: Drone + GPS = weed 
mapping + targeted spraying.
• Smartphone as a multipurpose tool:
 ¾ Camera: leaf index, soil images.
 ¾ GPS: identify problem zones.
 ¾ Accelerometer/gyroscope: monitor 
movement, alarms.
 ¾ QR codes: seed traceability.
• Automation benefits:
 ¾ Alleviates labour shortages (90% farmers cite 
this).
 ¾ Reduces disguised unemployment.
 ¾Increases efficiency with robotics and AI 
tools.
• Digital readiness:
 ¾ 85.5% households have smartphones.
 ¾ 86.3% have internet access at home.
 ¾ 95.5% of youth (15–29) in rural areas own 
smartphones.
 ¾ Potential: Every farm is a SmartFarm.
V . Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation – Systemic Level
• Supply Chain: Blockchain for traceability “farm 
to fork”; QR codes for authenticity, boosting 
exports.
• Market Access: Digital marketplaces reduce 
middlemen, improve price realisation.
• Weather & Advisory: AI-based, hyperlocal 
advisories on pest risk, weather, and crop 
practices.
• Geo-tagging: Asset tracking for farm planning 
and disaster management.
• Remote Sensing: Soil moisture, crop health, pest 
outbreaks monitored via satellite imagery.
• Livestock Sector: Health monitoring, feed 
tracking, early disease detection.
• Dairy: Automation for quality and loss reduction.
• Fisheries:
 ¾Weather updates, market info, digital 
commerce.
 ¾ Mapping water bodies, tracking ecosystems.
 ¾ Advisories for sustainable fishing.
• Warehousing: Sensors for temperature/humidity 
monitoring to reduce losses (still nascent in 
India).
VI. Agri Stack India – Comprehensive Agriculture 
Management System (CAMS)
• Purpose: Policy planning, monitoring, and real-
time decision-making.
• Components:
 ¾ Farmer Database: Aadhaar-linked ID, SHG/
FPO membership, landless workers info.
 ¾ Land & Asset Records: Geo-tagged parcels, 
soil health, water resources, ownership status.
 ¾ Crop/Input Data: Patterns, yields, fertiliser/
seed use, organic/natural farming status.
 ¾Real-time Data: Satellite images, weather 
alerts, pest/flood/drought warnings.
 ¾Infrastructure Records: Seeds, fertilisers, 
cold storage, transport, warehouses.
 ¾ Market Linkages: MSP , mandi prices, buyers, 
food processing units.
 ¾ Credit & Insurance: Kisan Credit Cards, loan 
history, PMFBY coverage.
 ¾ Government Schemes: PM-KISAN, RKVY, 
PKVY, SMAM linked for eligibility and 
grievance redressal.
 ¾ Advisories: Personalised SMS alerts on 
weather, crops, sustainable farming.
• Safeguards: Data protection, consent-based 
access, dashboards for transparency.
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KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
1
1
AGRICULTURE 4.0 – TOWARDS 
AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION
1. Importance of Agriculture in India
• Employment: Employs 42.3% of India’s 
workforce.
• Contribution to GDP: Around 18.2% of national 
GDP.
• Challenges faced:
 ¾Low productivity and yield gaps (20–60% 
lower than global averages).
 ¾ Heavy dependence on monsoon (52% farming 
rainfall dependent).
 ¾Fragmented small landholdings (89.4% 
farmers own <2 ha).
 ¾ High post-harvest losses (0.92% – 15.88% 
across crops).
 ¾ Volatile farm incomes.
 ¾ Livestock sector issues: lack of fodder, animal 
healthcare gaps, weak supply chains.
II. Need for Transformation
• Rising demand for food security with a growing 
population.
• Technology adoption can increase farmer 
incomes, ensure sustainability, and enhance 
efficiency.
• Digital Agriculture: Use of AI, IoT, blockchain, 
robotics, big data for precision farming, reducing 
waste, climate resilience, and market linkages.
III. Concept of Digital Agriculture
• Two complementary paradigms: Together, 
they form the foundation for Agriculture 
4.0 – empowering farmers while upgrading 
institutional frameworks.
           (i) Smart Farm Digitisation (farm-level):
 ¾ IoT-based soil/crop sensors.
 ¾ Drones for spraying/imaging.
 ¾ Automated irrigation.
 ¾ Mobile-based farm management platforms.
 ¾ Goal: Transform farms into responsive, 
precision-driven production units.
(ii) Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation (ecosystem-level):
 ¾ Satellite-based crop monitoring.
 ¾ Weather forecasting.
 ¾ Blockchain-enabled supply chains.
 ¾Digital platforms for market access, credit, 
subsidies, and insurance.
 ¾ Goal: Strengthen governance, transparency, 
and systemic support.
IV .  Smart Farm Digitisation – Key Aspects
• Adoption Gap: Low adoption in India compared 
to Japan, South Korea, China.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
2
• Challenges addressed:
 ¾ Pest Control: 30–35% crop losses due to pests; 
climate change worsens attacks (10–25% yield 
loss per +1°C rise).
 ¾ Water Management:
 ? 70–80% farmers depend on groundwater 
irrigation.
 ? 17% groundwater blocks overexploited, 
5% critically depleted.
 ? IoT sensors can cut water use by ~50%.
 ¾ Nutrient Management: Optical sensors apply 
precise fertilisers, reducing overuse.
 ¾ Weed Management: Drone + GPS = weed 
mapping + targeted spraying.
• Smartphone as a multipurpose tool:
 ¾ Camera: leaf index, soil images.
 ¾ GPS: identify problem zones.
 ¾ Accelerometer/gyroscope: monitor 
movement, alarms.
 ¾ QR codes: seed traceability.
• Automation benefits:
 ¾ Alleviates labour shortages (90% farmers cite 
this).
 ¾ Reduces disguised unemployment.
 ¾Increases efficiency with robotics and AI 
tools.
• Digital readiness:
 ¾ 85.5% households have smartphones.
 ¾ 86.3% have internet access at home.
 ¾ 95.5% of youth (15–29) in rural areas own 
smartphones.
 ¾ Potential: Every farm is a SmartFarm.
V . Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation – Systemic Level
• Supply Chain: Blockchain for traceability “farm 
to fork”; QR codes for authenticity, boosting 
exports.
• Market Access: Digital marketplaces reduce 
middlemen, improve price realisation.
• Weather & Advisory: AI-based, hyperlocal 
advisories on pest risk, weather, and crop 
practices.
• Geo-tagging: Asset tracking for farm planning 
and disaster management.
• Remote Sensing: Soil moisture, crop health, pest 
outbreaks monitored via satellite imagery.
• Livestock Sector: Health monitoring, feed 
tracking, early disease detection.
• Dairy: Automation for quality and loss reduction.
• Fisheries:
 ¾Weather updates, market info, digital 
commerce.
 ¾ Mapping water bodies, tracking ecosystems.
 ¾ Advisories for sustainable fishing.
• Warehousing: Sensors for temperature/humidity 
monitoring to reduce losses (still nascent in 
India).
VI. Agri Stack India – Comprehensive Agriculture 
Management System (CAMS)
• Purpose: Policy planning, monitoring, and real-
time decision-making.
• Components:
 ¾ Farmer Database: Aadhaar-linked ID, SHG/
FPO membership, landless workers info.
 ¾ Land & Asset Records: Geo-tagged parcels, 
soil health, water resources, ownership status.
 ¾ Crop/Input Data: Patterns, yields, fertiliser/
seed use, organic/natural farming status.
 ¾Real-time Data: Satellite images, weather 
alerts, pest/flood/drought warnings.
 ¾Infrastructure Records: Seeds, fertilisers, 
cold storage, transport, warehouses.
 ¾ Market Linkages: MSP , mandi prices, buyers, 
food processing units.
 ¾ Credit & Insurance: Kisan Credit Cards, loan 
history, PMFBY coverage.
 ¾ Government Schemes: PM-KISAN, RKVY, 
PKVY, SMAM linked for eligibility and 
grievance redressal.
 ¾ Advisories: Personalised SMS alerts on 
weather, crops, sustainable farming.
• Safeguards: Data protection, consent-based 
access, dashboards for transparency.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
3
VII. Way Forward – Strengthening Agriculture 4.0
• Infrastructure:
 ¾ Improve high-speed internet in rural areas.
 ¾ Renewable energy for reliable power.
• Affordability & Inclusiveness:
 ¾ Make technologies affordable for all farmers.
 ¾ Inclusive adoption by women farmers, tribal 
groups, and landless workers.
• Capacity Building:
 ¾ Strengthen extension services with training 
programs.
 ¾ Skill development for farmers and agri-labour 
in digital tools.
• Regulation: Clear policies on drones, AI, 
cybersecurity.
• Government Initiatives:
 ¾ PM-KISAN, Digital India, Soil Health Cards, 
PMFBY, Kisan Credit Card schemes.
 ¾ Digital India brought broadband to 2.5 lakh 
villages.
• Institutions as Enablers:
 ¾ ICAR institutes (113), Agricultural Universities 
(74), KVKs (731).
 ¾ FPOs (8,875), PACS (1,01,524).
• Global Opportunities: UN’s 2025 International 
Year of Cooperatives – India can leverage 
cooperatives for Agri-Tech.
VIII. Conclusion
• Agriculture 4.0 is not just about technology—it’s 
about resilient, sustainable, inclusive farming 
systems.
• With digital adoption, India can:
 ¾ Boost farmer incomes.
 ¾ Strengthen food security.
 ¾ Ensure climate-smart practices.
 ¾ Build a globally competitive agri-economy.
• Transition requires vision, coordination, 
inclusivity, and farmer-centric focus to make 
India a global leader in agricultural innovation.
Page 5


KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
1
1
AGRICULTURE 4.0 – TOWARDS 
AGRI-TECH REVOLUTION
1. Importance of Agriculture in India
• Employment: Employs 42.3% of India’s 
workforce.
• Contribution to GDP: Around 18.2% of national 
GDP.
• Challenges faced:
 ¾Low productivity and yield gaps (20–60% 
lower than global averages).
 ¾ Heavy dependence on monsoon (52% farming 
rainfall dependent).
 ¾Fragmented small landholdings (89.4% 
farmers own <2 ha).
 ¾ High post-harvest losses (0.92% – 15.88% 
across crops).
 ¾ Volatile farm incomes.
 ¾ Livestock sector issues: lack of fodder, animal 
healthcare gaps, weak supply chains.
II. Need for Transformation
• Rising demand for food security with a growing 
population.
• Technology adoption can increase farmer 
incomes, ensure sustainability, and enhance 
efficiency.
• Digital Agriculture: Use of AI, IoT, blockchain, 
robotics, big data for precision farming, reducing 
waste, climate resilience, and market linkages.
III. Concept of Digital Agriculture
• Two complementary paradigms: Together, 
they form the foundation for Agriculture 
4.0 – empowering farmers while upgrading 
institutional frameworks.
           (i) Smart Farm Digitisation (farm-level):
 ¾ IoT-based soil/crop sensors.
 ¾ Drones for spraying/imaging.
 ¾ Automated irrigation.
 ¾ Mobile-based farm management platforms.
 ¾ Goal: Transform farms into responsive, 
precision-driven production units.
(ii) Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation (ecosystem-level):
 ¾ Satellite-based crop monitoring.
 ¾ Weather forecasting.
 ¾ Blockchain-enabled supply chains.
 ¾Digital platforms for market access, credit, 
subsidies, and insurance.
 ¾ Goal: Strengthen governance, transparency, 
and systemic support.
IV .  Smart Farm Digitisation – Key Aspects
• Adoption Gap: Low adoption in India compared 
to Japan, South Korea, China.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
2
• Challenges addressed:
 ¾ Pest Control: 30–35% crop losses due to pests; 
climate change worsens attacks (10–25% yield 
loss per +1°C rise).
 ¾ Water Management:
 ? 70–80% farmers depend on groundwater 
irrigation.
 ? 17% groundwater blocks overexploited, 
5% critically depleted.
 ? IoT sensors can cut water use by ~50%.
 ¾ Nutrient Management: Optical sensors apply 
precise fertilisers, reducing overuse.
 ¾ Weed Management: Drone + GPS = weed 
mapping + targeted spraying.
• Smartphone as a multipurpose tool:
 ¾ Camera: leaf index, soil images.
 ¾ GPS: identify problem zones.
 ¾ Accelerometer/gyroscope: monitor 
movement, alarms.
 ¾ QR codes: seed traceability.
• Automation benefits:
 ¾ Alleviates labour shortages (90% farmers cite 
this).
 ¾ Reduces disguised unemployment.
 ¾Increases efficiency with robotics and AI 
tools.
• Digital readiness:
 ¾ 85.5% households have smartphones.
 ¾ 86.3% have internet access at home.
 ¾ 95.5% of youth (15–29) in rural areas own 
smartphones.
 ¾ Potential: Every farm is a SmartFarm.
V . Smart Agri-Sphere Digitisation – Systemic Level
• Supply Chain: Blockchain for traceability “farm 
to fork”; QR codes for authenticity, boosting 
exports.
• Market Access: Digital marketplaces reduce 
middlemen, improve price realisation.
• Weather & Advisory: AI-based, hyperlocal 
advisories on pest risk, weather, and crop 
practices.
• Geo-tagging: Asset tracking for farm planning 
and disaster management.
• Remote Sensing: Soil moisture, crop health, pest 
outbreaks monitored via satellite imagery.
• Livestock Sector: Health monitoring, feed 
tracking, early disease detection.
• Dairy: Automation for quality and loss reduction.
• Fisheries:
 ¾Weather updates, market info, digital 
commerce.
 ¾ Mapping water bodies, tracking ecosystems.
 ¾ Advisories for sustainable fishing.
• Warehousing: Sensors for temperature/humidity 
monitoring to reduce losses (still nascent in 
India).
VI. Agri Stack India – Comprehensive Agriculture 
Management System (CAMS)
• Purpose: Policy planning, monitoring, and real-
time decision-making.
• Components:
 ¾ Farmer Database: Aadhaar-linked ID, SHG/
FPO membership, landless workers info.
 ¾ Land & Asset Records: Geo-tagged parcels, 
soil health, water resources, ownership status.
 ¾ Crop/Input Data: Patterns, yields, fertiliser/
seed use, organic/natural farming status.
 ¾Real-time Data: Satellite images, weather 
alerts, pest/flood/drought warnings.
 ¾Infrastructure Records: Seeds, fertilisers, 
cold storage, transport, warehouses.
 ¾ Market Linkages: MSP , mandi prices, buyers, 
food processing units.
 ¾ Credit & Insurance: Kisan Credit Cards, loan 
history, PMFBY coverage.
 ¾ Government Schemes: PM-KISAN, RKVY, 
PKVY, SMAM linked for eligibility and 
grievance redressal.
 ¾ Advisories: Personalised SMS alerts on 
weather, crops, sustainable farming.
• Safeguards: Data protection, consent-based 
access, dashboards for transparency.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
3
VII. Way Forward – Strengthening Agriculture 4.0
• Infrastructure:
 ¾ Improve high-speed internet in rural areas.
 ¾ Renewable energy for reliable power.
• Affordability & Inclusiveness:
 ¾ Make technologies affordable for all farmers.
 ¾ Inclusive adoption by women farmers, tribal 
groups, and landless workers.
• Capacity Building:
 ¾ Strengthen extension services with training 
programs.
 ¾ Skill development for farmers and agri-labour 
in digital tools.
• Regulation: Clear policies on drones, AI, 
cybersecurity.
• Government Initiatives:
 ¾ PM-KISAN, Digital India, Soil Health Cards, 
PMFBY, Kisan Credit Card schemes.
 ¾ Digital India brought broadband to 2.5 lakh 
villages.
• Institutions as Enablers:
 ¾ ICAR institutes (113), Agricultural Universities 
(74), KVKs (731).
 ¾ FPOs (8,875), PACS (1,01,524).
• Global Opportunities: UN’s 2025 International 
Year of Cooperatives – India can leverage 
cooperatives for Agri-Tech.
VIII. Conclusion
• Agriculture 4.0 is not just about technology—it’s 
about resilient, sustainable, inclusive farming 
systems.
• With digital adoption, India can:
 ¾ Boost farmer incomes.
 ¾ Strengthen food security.
 ¾ Ensure climate-smart practices.
 ¾ Build a globally competitive agri-economy.
• Transition requires vision, coordination, 
inclusivity, and farmer-centric focus to make 
India a global leader in agricultural innovation.
KURUKSHETRA AUGUST 2025: Agri-Tech
4
I. Background
• Green Revolution (1960s):
 ¾ Shift from animal-based subsistence farming 
? energy-intensive, chemical-based 
farming.
 ¾ Achieved food self-sufficiency and later, 
surplus.
• Negative consequences:
 ¾ Soil health degradation.
 ¾ Water stress and contamination.
 ¾ Deterioration of air quality.
• Alarm raised (late 1980s):
 ¾Reports of resource degradation and 
stagnating productivity.
 ¾ Led to the search for sustainable, eco-friendly, 
profitable practices.
• Emergence of Conservation Agriculture (CA):
 ¾ The term popularized in the 1990s.
 ¾ Built upon both scientific innovations and 
traditional farmer practices.
II. Core Principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA)
• F AO Definition:  A system to ensure food security , 
profitability, and natural resource protection.
• Three Key Principles:
 ¾ Minimum soil disturbance
 ? Use of Zero Tillage (ZT) and direct seeding.
 ? Prevents erosion, preserves organic matter.
 ¾ Permanent soil cover
 ? Organic mulch/residue shields soil from 
sun and rain.
 ? Conserves moisture, avoids compaction, 
boosts biodiversity.
 ¾ Crop diversification
 ? Crop rotation, varied sequences, and 
intercropping.
 ? Improves soil structure, pest/disease 
resistance, and fertility.
• Holistic Approach:
 ¾All three actions applied simultaneously 
across farming systems.
2
CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE 
PRACTICES AND PERSPECTIVES
 ¾Improves productivity and soil health 
together.
Key Practices in CA(Conservation Agriculture)
• Zero Tillage (ZT):
 ¾ Eliminates traditional ploughing.
 ¾ Seeds sown directly into unploughed fields 
with stubble intact.
 ¾Zero-Till Seed-cum-Fertilizer Drill places 
seeds and fertilizer efficiently.
 ¾ Crop residues act as mulch—conserve water, 
control weeds, moderate temperature.
 ¾ Crucial for the rice-wheat system (Punjab & 
Haryana) to reduce residue burning.
• Crop Residue Management:
 ¾ Retained as mulch instead of burning.
 ¾ Improves soil microbial activity and organic 
carbon.
 ¾ Reduces air pollution and health risks.
• Crop Rotations:
 ¾ Legumes in rotation fix nitrogen, improving 
soil fertility.
 ¾Residues reduce evaporation ? 1–2 less 
irrigations needed.
 ¾ Maintains soil in wetter condition for longer 
periods.