India partners with Gates Foundation for agri-tech innovation

India is strengthening its partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to enhance agricultural technology, food security, and rural development. This collaboration was announced by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan after a meeting with Bill Gates in New Delhi. The partnership will focus on areas like artificial intelligence in agriculture, agri-fintech, and climate-smart technologies. It builds on existing initiatives in digital agriculture and biotechnology, aiming to address challenges such as climate change and resource constraints. India's agricultural sector has seen over 4% growth annually for the past decade. The country is a major global food producer, providing food security for a significant portion of the world's population while promoting sustainable farming practices.