Maharashtra to Host Global ‘AI for Agri 2026’ Summit in Mumbai to Drive Tech-Led Farm Transformation
Mumbai, 19th February 2026: In a significant step towards modernising the agriculture sector through artificial intelligence, the Maharashtra government will organise the AI for Agri 2026 – Global Conference and Investment Summit on February 22 and 23 in Mumbai. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane announced that the two-day global event will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre.
The summit is being convened under the state’s Maharashtra Agriculture–Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025–2029 and is aimed at accelerating AI adoption in farming, strengthening digital public infrastructure, and mobilising global investments into Maharashtra’s agri-technology ecosystem.
The conference is set to draw participation from several leading international organisations and financial institutions, including the World Economic Forum, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Development Programme, International Fund for Agricultural Development, World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Indian Institute of Science, and the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
The participation of policymakers, researchers, startups, financial institutions, and global development agencies is expected to create a collaborative platform for innovation and investment in digital agriculture.
Proceedings on February 22 will begin with registration at 9 am, followed by the inauguration of an agriculture exhibition showcasing emerging AI solutions for farming.
Notable speakers scheduled to address various sessions include Nandan Nilekani, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer, FAO Chief Digital Officer Dejan Jakovljevic, and UNDP Resident Representative Dr Angela Lusigi.
The formal inauguration ceremony will be held between 3 pm and 4:10 pm in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitendra Singh, and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane, along with senior state officials.
The summit will also feature the launch of MahaAgriX, a Large Language Model (LLM) in the Bhili tribal language, aimed at improving digital access for tribal farming communities. In addition, the state government is expected to announce initiatives related to MahaVistar Voice Telephony and AI-powered pest and disease identification systems designed to assist farmers with real-time advisory services.
Focus Areas of the Summit
Parallel sessions across multiple halls will deliberate on a wide range of themes, including:
-Responsible AI in agriculture and bridging the gender digital divide
-Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for agricultural production
-Financing frameworks for AI-driven farming
-Maharashtra Agricultural Data Exchange
-Startup innovation and Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)-led growth
-AI convergence and emerging technologies
-Digital agri-finance models
-Gender-inclusive AI ecosystems
-Remote sensing and geospatial intelligence
-Generative AI applications in agriculture
The second day, February 23, will centre on global trends in digital public infrastructure, scaling agri-finance solutions, AI-enabled research collaborations, inclusive technologies for women farmers, and large-scale investment dialogues.
The conference will conclude with a valedictory session and the announcement of the theme for AI for Agri 2027, signalling Maharashtra’s continued focus on positioning itself as a global hub for AI-powered agricultural innovation.
