In a push to reshape the future of agriculture, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for Bengaluru to expand its identity beyond IT and become the country’s agri-tech capital.
Speaking at the Global Agritech Summit-2026, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI) in association with the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, the Chief Minister highlighted the need to integrate advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence into the agriculture sector. He stressed that such efforts are essential for the overall development of the state.
He also raised concerns about declining youth interest in agriculture. According to him, the sector must become profitable to attract younger generations. He urged industrialists to invest in agriculture and allied sectors, stating that higher investment is key to making farming a sustainable and rewarding profession.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that Karnataka ranks second in the country in terms of dry and drought-prone land. He recalled that during his earlier tenure, the government had introduced the Krishi Bhagya scheme to support dry-land farmers. The scheme was later discontinued but has now been reintroduced by his current government, with a focus on helping small landholding farmers in such regions.
Highlighting financial support, he said the government extended agricultural loans worth around ₹70,000 crore to nearly 83 lakh farmers last year.
The Chief Minister’s vision signals a shift towards technology-driven agriculture, aiming to boost productivity, attract investment, and make farming more viable in the long run.
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