Background

In July 2023, the world and its inhabitants witnessed yet another alarming declaration concerning the global climate crisis as the UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared that the era of global boiling has finally begun. There is no doubt that combating the global climate crisis is the need of the hour. By the end of this decade, the repercussions of climate change will become irreversible, thus highlighting the need for urgent action if we need to imagine a healthier future for our planet. The journey towards fighting climate change requires individuals, communities, and companies to make everyday habitual and behavioral changes to adapt to the needs of the times, and in India, meaningful changes in the agriculture sector come with transformative potential. 

Agriculture and its allied sectors are the largest source of livelihoods in India, with 70% of its rural households primarily depending on agriculture for their living and 82% of farmers being small-scale and marginal (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Sustainable, environment-friendly, and efficient agricultural practices are far from mainstream in India as Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Systems (SAPS) are adopted by less than 5 million (that is 4%) of all Indian farmers, with many practiced by less than 1% (Council on Energy, Environment, and Water). Scaling up SAPS (such as agroforestry, crop rotation, rainwater harvesting, mulching, and precision) can radically alter the agricultural landscape of India, moving towards more sustainable and environment-friendly practices. However, the lack of ample awareness and resources often makes it difficult for farmers to switch to sustainable practices, and this is further exacerbated by the often socio-economically vulnerable location of farmers. SmartFarm intends to step in at this juncture to raise holistic awareness about the imperative to switch towards sustainable agricultural practices through an effective use of technology. 

SmartFarm is rooted in the desire to affirmatively alter the present-day agricultural landscape in India, particularly in the state of Telangana. By raising ample awareness about sustainable agrotech strategies and providing resources to farmers in need, the initiative hopes to alleviate the situation of the farmers in the country while simultaneously mitigating the perils of the global climate crisis.