By Nishant

Copyright thehindubusinessline

India’s agriculture stands at a watershed moment.

For decades, it has been the bedrock of our economy, and now, it is poised for a transformation driven not just by policy, but by a new philosophy: precision at scale. This isn’t merely about technology; it’s about redesigning the entire ecosystem, applying the same rigorous principles of efficiency to every link in the value chain—from the flow of credit to the application of crop nutrients.

As someone who leads both a cutting-edge technology business and one of India’s largest and most energy efficient single stream urea plant, I genuinely see this convergence as the single greatest opportunity for our nation.

The same discipline that allows us to engineer a world-class manufacturing facility can be used to engineer a more equitable and productive future for millions of farmers.

Engineering access – The macro blueprint

The first challenge we must engineer a solution for is access.

Eastern India, a region that holds nearly 15 per cent of our nation’s arable land, is a powerhouse of agricultural potential. Yet, it has historically been underserved, receiving only a fraction of institutional agri-credit compared to other regions. This credit gap is a systemic bottleneck, preventing farmers from investing in quality inputs, adopting modern practices, and insuring themselves against risk.

The solution lies in building robust digital rails to deliver capital with precision.

We don’t have to look far for inspiration. Globally, Kenya’s M-Pesa has revolutionized rural financial inclusion, demonstrating how smart digital infrastructure can transform agri-financing outcomes. India is now making serious strides in this direction with initiatives like the AgriStack – a digital public infrastructure that creates a unified, data-driven platform of farmer IDs, land, and crop information to improve access to credit, inputs, and services for farmers. This is not a distant dream; it is already delivering results.

According to the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances – NCEG Booklet, in a pilot conducted in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh and Beed district of Maharashtra using Agri Stack for verification and validation of the farmer, crop and land, this disbursement of contactless paperless loan was completed in 15-30 minutes without any hassle.

This success has not gone unnoticed, with other nations like Paraguay exploring how Agri Stack could be adapted for their own agricultural sectors. By creating a transparent, data-driven system, we build trust and unlock a virtuous cycle of investment, productivity, and resilience.

Engineering efficiency – The micro blueprint

This philosophy of precision cannot stop at the bank. It must extend all the way to the soil.

At Matix, our state-of-the-art plant in Panagarh, West Bengal is a testament to what operational excellence can achieve. It is one of the most energy-efficient fertiliser plants globally and the largest single-stream urea producer in the country, consistently operating beyond its name-plate capacity. We achieved this through meticulous engineering, data-driven optimisation, and a relentless focus on efficiency.

Now, we must empower farmers to apply this same mindset to their fields. The future of crop nutrition lies at the intersection of agri-tech and artificial intelligence. AI-driven innovations are enabling the precision application of nutrients, optimising input use, and improving yields while minimising environmental impact. When a farmer has access to tools that analyse soil health and weather data, they can make smarter, more sustainable decisions.

This is the micro blueprint: empowering every farmer to become a high-efficiency manager of their own land.

The synergy: Where access empowers efficiency

Here is where the two blueprints converge. A farmer who gains access to timely, fair credit through a digital financial system (the macro blueprint) is then empowered to invest in the drone, sensor, or software that enables precision agriculture (the micro blueprint).

This digital backbone creates possibilities that were once unthinkable. For example, insurers can now deploy parametric models backed by satellite data, which can trigger automatic payouts in the event of crop failure. This is a game-changer for risk management.

Likewise, companies like ours can use AI-driven demand forecasting to ensure product availability while ensuring that the right products are available to farmers when they need them most. According to the Geospatial World Foundation, such models can improve yields by up to 25 per cent in climate-stressed areas.

This synergy creates a powerful feedback loop that accelerates income growth and strengthens the entire agricultural ecosystem.

Our vision is for an India where precision is the default. Where capital and nutrients flow exactly where they are needed, with no waste. Eastern India, with its dedicated farming communities and immense potential, is perfectly poised to lead this digital and green revolution.

The seeds of this transformation have been sown. With a collective resolve from the government, industry, and entrepreneurs, we can cultivate a harvest of inclusive and sustainable growth for generations to come.

The author is Founder & Non-Executive Chairman, Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited

Published on September 27, 2025