Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Skill Development and Education Jayant Chaudhary on Tuesday jointly inaugurated the Uttar Pradesh Agritech Innovation Hub and Startup Technology Showcase at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology (SVPUAT) in Meerut, aiming to promote precision farming and sustainable agriculture in the northern state.
Addressing the gathering, Pradhan congratulated SVPUAT for developing a curriculum aligned with modern agricultural needs, which he said would greatly benefit farmers across the country. He underlined that the vision of a developed India is incomplete without developed villages and prosperous farmers, calling the launch of the hub a historic step in that direction.
Pradhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting technology-driven agricultural innovations. Highlighting recent initiatives, he noted that the Union Budget had announced the establishment of a Centre for Excellence to ensure advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics reach the agricultural sector. The responsibility given to IIT Ropar to develop “AI in Agriculture” as a Centre of Excellence has now materialised through this Agritech Innovation Hub, he added.
The minister reiterated that while India’s services sector has reached global benchmarks, the nation’s prosperity remains rooted in its farmlands. He praised Uttar Pradesh’s progress in agriculture and innovation under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Recalling the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Chaudhary Charan Singh to the farming community, Pradhan said that a true tribute to these leaders would be realised when farmers’ incomes are doubled, enabling them to become self-reliant and prosperous. He stressed the urgent need to adopt chemical-free, natural farming practices and ensure that technology seamlessly bridges the gap between the field and the market. He also expressed hope that the new hub would steer North India’s agricultural economy towards a sustainable future.
Speaking at the event, Chaudhary highlighted the hub’s role in empowering rural youth and farmers to embrace agritech innovations. He said that true transformation begins when innovation takes root in the soil. Supported by IIT Ropar’s deep-tech expertise, the hub in Meerut aims to position farmers as leaders in precision agriculture.
Chaudhary described the hub not just as a facility but as a collaborative ecosystem for farmers, researchers, and startups to co-create sustainable and scalable agricultural solutions. He emphasised that technology finds its true meaning when it remains grounded in the soil it intends to uplift.
As part of the event, a technology demonstration session was held at SVPUAT’s Model Smart Farm. An MoU was signed between IIT Ropar and SVPUAT to strengthen academic and research collaborations in agritech. An exhibition showcased twenty agritech startups, presenting their innovative solutions. Progressive farmers were also felicitated for their contributions to sustainable farming practices.
The newly inaugurated Agritech Innovation Hub is equipped with IoT-enabled sensors, smart irrigation systems, automation technologies, and a real-time analytics platform to promote precision farming and sustainable agriculture. The hub will serve as a collaborative platform for farmers, technologists, researchers, innovators, and stakeholders from state agricultural departments, academia, and startups to develop region-specific, scalable solutions.
IIT Ropar will contribute its expertise through its Cyber-Physical Systems Lab, providing IoT sensors, automation systems, and cloud computing infrastructure worth up to Rs 75 lakh. The hub will also deploy advanced data analytics platforms for real-time monitoring and data-driven decision-making. Technical experts from IIT Ropar will offer continuous support in IoT, AI, and CPS to guide implementation and monitoring.
The initiative further includes extensive training and knowledge-sharing workshops to build capacity among all stakeholders. Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Farmer Producer Organisations associated with the university will help train farmers and rural youth in modern farming techniques.
