Addressing the 60th Annual Convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers (ISAE), co-hosted by SKUAST-Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the transformative role of technology and innovation in Indian agriculture. He noted that India has moved from an era of food insecurity and dependence on imports to a position where it can aspire to global leadership in agriculture. The convention’s themes—“Women-led Engineering Innovations in Smart Farming” and “AI and Robotics for Gen-Z Farming”—reflect the changing needs of the agricultural sector. According to Sinha, challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, post-harvest losses and sustainable farming cannot be addressed through traditional methods alone. Artificial Intelligence, robotics, mechanisation and other emerging technologies must therefore become integral to modern agriculture. He particularly emphasised the role of women, describing them as the backbone of Indian agriculture. Women’s participation should go beyond being part of the workforce; they should lead engineering innovation, research, startups and technological development. LG Manoj Sinha also called upon young engineers and innovators to develop affordable and accessible technologies for small and marginal farmers. By combining human intelligence with artificial intelligence and empowering women innovators, India can build a smarter, more sustainable and inclusive agricultural future.
