Our Global Perspective- Candidate 4

4. Global Perspective•Kenya or India as global examples where tech has helped createagri jobs (like digital extension services or drone farming).•Shows potential if Namibia follows similar models withinvestment and training.FOR OUR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEWe will be looking into how technology has impacted the agriculturalindustry of India, such as creating investment opportunities, lifting uprural areas and feeding the worldAgriculture contributes more than half on India’s GDP, this nation isstill one of the world’s largest food producers and agriculture.Agriculture is estimated to contribute around $600 billion to India’sGDP according to( McKinsey’s Agriculture Practice). But to achievethis the nation must unlock productivity and growth within the sector

This transformation with farming can be achieved through agriculturaltechnology (agtech). This could definitely make or break India’sfarmers as most rural farmers do not have the needed funds for hugeagtech projects, by raising awareness to foreign investors this issuecan be resolved. By using more effective and efficient methods withagtech this can help make profit and contribute to the development ofthe economy. Between 2013 and 2020, the agtech landscape in Indiagrew from less than 50 start-ups to more than 1,000, fueled byincreased farmer awareness, rising internet penetration in rural India.This also brings many potential investors, the agtech ecosystem hasthe potential to propel indian farmers’ incomes to grow by 25 to 35percent. Providers of farming supplies such as agrochemicals,fertilizers, and seeds are using technology to create direct-to-farmersales channels that bypass middlemen and retailers. For example, UPL(traditionally a core agrochemicals player). Many firms which includenon banks and banks are providing finance through means of farmsand rural loans use technology to further understand farmers andprovide targeted products for example the State Bank of India(SBI)have developed an app known as YONO Krishi app to meet thefinance, needs and inputs of farmers. Furthermore other companieswhich sell farm equipment such as Mahindra offer tractor rentalservices.The indian government has enabled the growth of agtech by takingpolicy steps to foster technology and innovation through means of:Easier digital research. Government has promoted farmer to producerorganizations(FPOs) which grants $750 million to set up over 10,00FPOs in 5 yearsNational Agriculture Market known as (eNAM) which is a pan-indiaelectronic online trading portal connecting already existing mandiswhich forms a unified national market for agriculture commoditieswhich ensures better prices for farmers.these are just a few of the many initiatives which help in building anagtech ecosystem in IndiaExamples of Agtech in india is the Drone farmingaccording to the National Portal of India, Namo drone didi is centralscheme which aims to enhance the efficiency of agriculture and otherunrelated topics. Their drone technology has significantly enhancedthe application of pesticides and fertilizers which transformedtraditional agricultural practices. Sensory technology and advancedGps systems technology allow the drones to follow precise flight pathsover fields. precision reduces the overuse of chemicals whichminimizes the environmental impact and lowering costs for farmer