Source: Business Standard
Context:
Himanshu Joshi, Programme Director at NITI Aayog, has called on Indian agri-tech and water-tech startups to move beyond basic problem-solving and adopt advanced technologies to enter new markets and overcome regulatory and technology-maturity challenges. Speaking at the Nasscom Deeptech Confluence 2026 on Agri and Water Tech, Joshi drew on examples from NITI Aayog’s bilateral collaboration programmes with countries like Denmark, where foreign startups have improvised and adapted their products to Indian conditions and scaled across the Global South.
Examples Cited
- A global water-tech startup extended its India stay after finding opportunities to test technology in Indian conditions, with potential markets across the Global South.
- An agri-drone startup initially focused on identifying quality coconuts ready for harvesting in Lakshadweep. Later, it expanded to use AI for:
- Optimal harvesting times.
- Disease risk identification.
- These were foreign startups that improvised and found new use cases.
What is Agri-Tech?
- Agri-tech refers to technology applied to agriculture to improve productivity, sustainability, market access, and farmer incomes.
- Examples:
- Precision agriculture: GPS-guided machinery, variable-rate inputs.
- Sensor-based irrigation: Soil moisture, weather stations.
- Drone-based spraying: For crop protection.
- Satellite-based monitoring: Crop health, yield estimation.
- AI/ML: Pest and disease detection, yield prediction.
- FarmTech/AgriFintech: Credit, insurance, market linkage platforms.
What is Water-Tech?
- Water-tech refers to technology applied to water management, including:
- Water treatment and recycling.
- Smart irrigation systems.
- Leak detection in urban water supply.
- Desalination and groundwater monitoring.
- Industrial wastewater management.
- Smart metering for water utilities.
India’s Agri-Tech and Water-Tech Landscape
- India has a large agri-tech ecosystem with start-ups like DeHaat, AgroStar, Ninjacart, Cropin, Fasal, BharatAgri, Krishify, and others.
- The agri-tech market is estimated to be about USD 24 billion by 2025, with strong growth potential.
- Water-tech is comparatively underdeveloped in India, but demand is rising due to water stress, urbanisation, and industrial demand.
- Major Indian water-tech start-ups focus on smart metering, leak detection, water purification, and wastewater management.
What is NITI Aayog?
- National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India.
- Established on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
- Chairperson: Prime Minister.
- Vice-Chairperson: Ashok Kumar Lahiri.
- Has a CEO, currently Nidhi Chhibber.
- Headquartered in New Delhi.
- Functions:
- Strategic and long-term policy framework.
- Cooperative and competitive federalism.
- Knowledge and innovation hub.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Bilateral and multilateral collaboration.
What is NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)?
- A flagship innovation initiative of NITI Aayog.
- Launched in 2016.
- Promotes innovation and entrepreneurship across schools, universities, research institutions, MSMEs, and corporate sectors.
- Components include:
- Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools.
- Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) for start-ups.
- Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) for underserved regions.
- Atal New India Challenges (ANICs) for product innovation.
- Atal Research and Innovation for Small Enterprises (ARISE) for MSMEs.
Key Terms
- Agri-Tech: Technology applied to agriculture for productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes.
- Water-Tech: Technology applied to water management, including treatment, irrigation, monitoring, and conservation.
- NITI Aayog: The National Institution for Transforming India, the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, established in 2015.
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): A flagship innovation initiative of NITI Aayog, launched in 2016.
- MVP (Minimum Viable Product): A basic version of a product with just enough features to test the market.
- Pilot Project: A small-scale trial of a product or service before full-scale rollout.
- Precision Agriculture: Data-driven farming that uses GPS, sensors, satellite imagery, and AI to optimise inputs and outputs.
- Deep-Tech: Technology built around fundamental scientific or engineering breakthroughs, such as AI, robotics, IoT, biotech, advanced materials, quantum computing.
- Global South: Developing countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania, often with similar development challenges.
- Nasscom: The National Association of Software and Service Companies, India’s leading IT and tech industry body, founded in 1988.
- Indo-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership: A bilateral framework between India and Denmark, focused on green technology, water management, renewable energy, and innovation.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to NITI Aayog, consider the following statements:
- NITI Aayog was established on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
- The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
- NITI Aayog is headquartered in New Delhi.
- NITI Aayog is a constitutional body created under Article 280 of the Constitution.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; NITI Aayog is an executive body created by a Cabinet resolution, NOT a constitutional body. Article 280 deals with the Finance Commission.)
Q2. With reference to NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), consider the following statements:
- AIM was launched in 2016 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
- Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are part of AIM, set up in schools.
- Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) are set up to nurture start-ups.
- AIM is administered by SEBI, not NITI Aayog.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; AIM is administered by NITI Aayog, NOT SEBI.)
Q3. With reference to India’s start-up ecosystem, consider the following statements:
- India is the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally.
- India has about 110+ unicorns, defined as start-ups valued at USD 1 billion or more.
- DPIIT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, recognises start-ups under the Start-Up India initiative.
- Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai are major start-up hubs in India.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q4. With reference to agri-tech and water-tech, consider the following statements:
- Agri-tech includes precision agriculture, drone-based spraying, satellite-based crop monitoring, and AI-based pest detection.
- Water-tech includes smart metering, leak detection, wastewater management, and water purification.
- The Indo-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, announced in 2020, covers areas like renewable energy, water, climate, and sustainable agriculture.
- NITI Aayog has no role in bilateral collaboration programmes for innovation and technology.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; NITI Aayog actively participates in bilateral collaboration programmes for innovation and technology.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because NITI Aayog is an executive body, not a constitutional body.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because AIM is administered by NITI Aayog, not SEBI.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because NITI Aayog actively participates in bilateral collaboration programmes.
Exam Relevance
| NABARD Grade A | Very high importance, agri-tech, water, rural innovation |
