If you are a farmer in Maharashtra, you know that farming is a game of patience, wisdom, and resilience. But what if you had a new kind of ally in the field? One that could predict pest attacks before they happen, tell you exactly when to irrigate, or even help you get the best price for your crop at the mandi? That ally is Artificial Intelligence (AI), and it has officially arrived in Maharashtra in a big way.
Mumbai just played host to a landmark event, the “AI 4 Agri 2026” Global Conference and Investor Summit, and here at Krushi Tools, we are buzzing with excitement about what it means for you. Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and how this “tech talk” translates to better yields and healthier soil for the Maratha heartland.
Maharashtra: India’s First AI-Powered Farming State
There is a reason all eyes were on Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) this past weekend. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the summit with a powerful message: Maharashtra is not just participating in the future of farming; we are leading it .
In fact, Maharashtra has become the first state in India to roll out a comprehensive Maharashtra Agriculture-Artificial Intelligence Policy (2025-2029) . With an initial outlay of ₹500 crore, the government is putting serious money behind the idea that data and digital tools can solve the real problems faced by farmers in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Western Maharashtra .
The “Maha” Tool You Need to Know About
For those of you who think AI sounds like a distant, complicated science experiment, let us introduce you to something you can use right now: Maha-Extension AI (महा-विस्तार एआय) .
Think of this as your Digital Companion . Developed by the state government, this app is designed to bridge the gap between government schemes and your farm. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne shared some impressive numbers at the summit: over 30 lakh farmers have already downloaded the app .
Why are so many farmers using it?
Personalized Advice: Get crop-specific guidance in Marathi.
Weather and Pest Warnings: Receive alerts about incoming unseasonal rain or a potential pest outbreak so you can take action immediately.
Market Access: Check real-time mandi prices to decide where to sell your produce for the best profit.
This is technology that speaks your language and understands your problems.
A Five-Pillar Promise: The Wageningen Connection
One of the most exciting developments to come out of the AI 4 Agri summit was the signing of an MoU between the Maharashtra government and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) , one of the world’s top agricultural research institutions .
Arun Kumar Pratihast, a Senior Researcher at WUR, explained that this collaboration isn’t about bringing European solutions and dropping them on Indian soil. It’s about co-designing solutions specifically for Maharashtra. The partnership rests on five pillars :
AI and Digital Phenotyping: Using sensors to observe how crops are growing—like leaf health and growth rates—to create AI models that fit our climate.
Digital Breeding: Using data to develop better seed varieties faster.
Crop-Specific Pilot Projects: Testing AI on key local crops to see what works best.
Knowledge Exchange: Training our local agricultural universities and extension officers.
International Learning: Bringing global best practices to Maharashtra’s farms.
Co-Designing with Farmers: You Are the Expert
Here is the best part of this entire revolution. Unlike the old days when new tech was developed in a lab far away and handed down to farmers, this time, you are in the driver’s seat.
The concept of “Citizen Science” is central to this new strategy . Researchers are making it clear: “We don’t design the system for the farmers; we design the system with the farmers.”
What does that mean for you? It means your traditional knowledge—knowing which variety works best in your specific plot, understanding local wind patterns, recognizing subtle signs of soil stress—is being used to train the AI. By contributing your data and practices through mobile apps and community programs, you are helping to build a digital model that is actually accurate for your land. You are not just a user of technology; you are a creator of it.
The Bottom Line: More Money in Your Pocket
At the end of the day, technology is only good if it improves lives. The goal of AI 4 Agri is to make farming profitable again.
Pilot trials have already shown incredible results. Research indicates that AI-assisted farming in Maharashtra has led to:
Yield increases of up to 40% in crops like sugarcane .
Halving water and fertilizer usage, which cuts costs significantly .
Experts estimate that widespread AI adoption could boost yields across the state by 30-45% . When you add in better price forecasting and direct market access, you are looking at a future where farming is less of a gamble and more of a sustainable, thriving business.
A Special Focus on Our Women Farmers
In keeping with the UN’s International Year of Women Farmers, the summit also highlighted how technology can empower the women who make up a huge part of our agricultural workforce . Initiatives like training women’s groups to operate agricultural drones are opening up new avenues for income and precision farming, ensuring that the benefits of AI reach every home.
Looking Ahead
The AI 4 Agri 2026 summit was more than just a conference; it was a declaration of intent. The government, global researchers, and private innovators are aligning their efforts to support you.
At Krushi Tools, we believe that the future of farming in Maharashtra is smart, sustainable, and profitable. AI isn’t here to replace the farmer; it’s here to empower the farmer. It is a tool that respects your hard-earned wisdom and adds a layer of data-driven certainty to it.
So, the next time you see a notification from the Maha-Extension app or hear about a new AI pilot project in your district, give it a chance. It might just be the partner you didn’t know you needed.