IIT Indore inaugurated AgriHub, a Center of Excellence (CoE) for sustainable agriculture leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Deep Learning (DL), on January 27, 2025. Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri K.K. Singh, Joint Secretary Innovation and IPR Division MeitY, Shri Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary(ACS) S&T Madhya Pradesh, Dr. C.R. Mehta, Director, ICAR-CIAE Bhopal, Shri Magesh Ethirajan, Director General, C-DAC, and Dr. Kunwar Harendra Singh, Director, ICAR-IISR Indore, were also present as representatives from the collaborating institutes.

AgriHub (https://agrihub.iiti.ac.in) is a transdisciplinary, multi-institutional collaborative initiative aimed at fostering innovation and transforming Indian agriculture. With a mission to empower researchers, breeders, and farmers, AgriHub will serve as a collaborative platform, bringing together stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop innovative solutions for Indian agriculture.

By fostering coordination and synergy, it will enhance the efficient use of resources and expertise, ensuring that technological advancements align with the needs of farmers, NGOs, and other key stakeholders thus addressing losses due to critical agricultural challenges such as drought, floods, and low productivity.

The key deliverables include startup incubation, job creation, patents, publications, industry collaborations, student mentorship, and entrepreneurship workshops. Over five years, AgriHub will establish a self-sustaining ecosystem, ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability beyond the initial funding period.

Launching the ‘AgriHub A Deep Learning & AI/ML Center of Excellence', Shri S. Krishan emphasized the transformative potential of AI, high-performance computing, and big data in agriculture. He emphasized the importance of startups in driving innovation while advocating for collaboration with established industries to adopt modern technologies for increased agricultural yields and profits. He also stresses the need for rapid adaptation to technological changes.

Shri K.K. Singh, Joint Secretary Innovation and IPR Division MeitY, focused on the challenges faced by the team because many agencies are involved.  He advised the smooth working in the collaborative work of PIs and Co-PIs during five years of time.

IAS officer Shri Sanjay Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary of Science and Technology for Madhya Pradesh, underscored the project's importance in tackling agricultural challenges through technology. He affirmed the government's commitment to supporting such initiatives as a key stakeholder. Highlighting the strategic relevance of the location chosen for establishing the Center of Excellence (CoE), he noted Madhya Pradesh's leadership in advancing agricultural technologies. These innovations, including GIS and drone data, are being effectively utilized for farmers' benefit. He expressed optimism about the growing synergy between various technological tools in the sector.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

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