Background

The agricultural industry in India is the foundation of the country's economy, and yet it faces many difficulties, particularly in drought-prone areas and in terms of geo-political support. Especially in northern India, there have been severe droughts over the recent years, and governments now seek Minimum Support Price (MSP) assurance for other crops as declining water tables render paddy and wheat cultivation unsustainable, driving many farmers into poverty. 

Shockingly, nearly 68% of India's agricultural land is susceptible to drought, which could affect millions of farmers' livelihoods, according to the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). In fact, out of the 93.09 million agricultural households in India, a staggering 82% are small and marginal farmers (According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation), typically holding less than two hectares of land.  

The inability of farmers to efficiently monitor and maintain crop health is worsened by the need for access to contemporary agricultural technologies. Action must be implemented swiftly to equip farmers with the resources and information they need to overcome these obstacles, which is what Farming Futures aims to address - the growing need for solutions that can empower farmers, enabling them to sustain their livelihoods and ensure food security for their communities.