Beyond data: How to unlock agriculture's full potential 

Unlocking the potential of digital agriculture could generate an estimated economic value of $65 billion, according to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). At the heart of this transformation lies data – a critical enabler of innovation and efficiency in the agriculture sector.

For agri-tech start-ups, access to robust datasets is essential to develop cutting-edge solutions such as crop monitoring tools, intelligent advisory apps, and decision-support platforms that streamline agricultural processes and empower farmers. Likewise, for farmers, intelligence drawn from data is indispensable for making informed decisions that enhance productivity, reduce risk, and optimize resource use.

Data platforms can have powerful capabilities to generate real-time insights by a combination of data from across key components of the agriculture ecosystem – including land, soil, seed, crop health, pest prevalence, weather patterns, market trends, and export forecasts. However, agricultural data remains fragmented across multiple departments, agencies, research bodies and private organizations. The inability to combine data in near-real-time impedes innovation and poses a significant barrier to the scalability of agritech solutions.

As the world faces ever-increasing challenges related to food security, climate change, and the urgent need for resilient and efficient agri-food supply chains, the development of interoperable data platforms is more critical than ever.

Currently, India is witnessing the emergence of a few innovative data platforms that are paving the way towards data-driven agriculture. Initiatives like Agristack, VISTAAR, Agriculture Data Exchange (ADeX) and Krishi DSS are transforming the sector, each offering distinct value propositions to a diverse range of stakeholders. For example:

Given the diversity and complexity of agricultural data, and the technical and operational necessity of a federated data ecosystem, it is likely that several more data platforms with diverse capabilities are likely to be established soon.

As the number of data platforms in agriculture continues to grow, it will be increasingly clear that these platforms, while necessary, are not sufficient by themselves to realize the full potential of digital agriculture. For instance, in the absence of a robust data management framework that facilitates consent-based data sharing, users may hesitate to engage with the platform – ultimately limiting its adoption and impact. Regular updates and improvements to these platforms, especially in the fast-evolving intelligent era, are also essential to maintain user trust and ensure sustained engagement.

To fully unlock the transformative potential of data platforms, a supportive and enabling ecosystem must be developed. This requires coordinated efforts across four key dimensions: business value, technology, project implementation strategies, and legal frameworks. The following section outlines key recommendations for stakeholders – including policy-makers, agritech startups, development organizations, and NGOs – offering actionable insights to support both ongoing and future initiatives.

The future of digital agriculture in India, and other developing countries hinges on the smart and strategic use of agricultural data platforms. These platforms hold immense potential – not only to transform farming but also to scale globally and catalyze broader impact across agricultural systems.

However, platform visibility alone is not enough. The true effectiveness of any data platform depends on the strength of a cohesive and well-designed ecosystem. This requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors:

By aligning efforts across the four key dimensions – business, technology, legal, and implementation – it is possible to develop a resilient and inclusive data ecosystem that enhances productivity, strengthens food security, and ensures long-term sustainability for the agriculture sector.