In an effort to establish Maharashtra as a pioneer in the AI-driven revolution in farming, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement that the state would be hosting the first-ever AI conference in the agricultural sector.
As part of the Maharashtra Agricultural Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025-2029, Fadnavis stated at the AI for Agri 2026 Global Conference and Investors’ Summit that the state’s goal is to create a digitally empowered ecosystem for farmers. This will be achieved through the Maha-AI Innovation Centre, which will bring together academic institutions, research institutes, and industry players.
The launch of Maha-Vistar AI, a digital companion platform that provides weather information, pest control help, market pricing trends, access to government initiatives, and crop consulting services, was emphasised by the chief minister. Up till now, more than three million farmers have used the app. For the sake of accessibility, the platform has voice-based functions and supports multiple languages.
To put its AI-based Agriculture Policy (2025–2029) into action, the state has set aside about 500 crore rupees, and it intends to build AI and agritech innovation centres in every district.
Launched AI applications include Maha Agri-X (Agri Data Exchange), a voice telephony app, an LLM endeavour to support the Bhili tribal language, and an AI-based pest and disease monitoring system.
To further document its digital public infrastructure enabled by AI, Maharashtra also inked strategic memorandums of understanding with Wageningen University and Research to encourage the responsible implementation of AI in agriculture and with the One Step Foundation, which is sponsored by the World Bank.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, there has been a greater national drive for digital infrastructure and inclusive AI, which this effort coincides with.
