In an address that wove together science, sustainability, and social responsibility, Dr. Nutan Kaushik, Director General of the Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, emphasised the holistic importance of agriculture in human progress. Speaking at the 6th Agri Business Conclave and Awards, Dr. Kaushik shed light on the evolving role of agriculture in the 21st century, urging a shift from conventional approaches to technology-integrated, sustainable systems.
“When we talk about agriculture, it’s not only about the agriculture itself—what we are really talking about is food. And food means human energy,” she began, establishing a broader lens through which agriculture must be viewed.
Drawing attention to the historical significance of the Green Revolution, Dr. Kaushik acknowledged its necessity during a critical juncture in India’s past.
“The Green Revolution was the need of the hour. We were net importers of food, and it is only because of the Green Revolution that we became net exporters.”
However, she was quick to point out the unintended consequences of those early strategies, such as the overuse and uneven distribution of pesticides.
“Though India’s average pesticide consumption is far lower than that of other countries, its use is uneven. Some states use too much, while others use very little—this imbalance has led to serious problems.”
Dr. Kaushik emphasised that the present moment offers a unique opportunity to prioritise nutrition security and food safety, underpinned by cutting-edge agricultural technologies. Citing advancements like GM technology, gene editing, precision agriculture, AI platforms, blockchain, and drone farming, she painted a vision of a more data-driven and sustainable agricultural future.
“As science is improving, newer frontiers are emerging. Technologies like precision agriculture, drones, and AI are helping to increase yields and promote sustainability. Their integration is vital not just for improving productivity, but also for quality conservation.”
One of the most impactful initiatives Dr. Kaushik shared was a recent project supported by the Asia Classic Network. The project surveyed climate-smart agricultural practices, classifying them based on their readiness and adaptability to various climate hotspots—drought-prone, flood-prone, and more.
“We identified practices for each of these zones and categorised them as short-term (readily available), medium-term (5–10 years), and long-term (over 15 years). Practices like ridge bed sowing and direct-seeded rice are already available and can mitigate climate impact even without new technology.”
She also touched on the crucial challenge of post-harvest losses, citing a joint study conducted in African countries.
“Post-harvest losses ranged from 30% to as high as 90%. That means we’re not only losing the food but also the resources, manpower, and effort that went into producing that food.”
To address these losses, her foundation is working on scalable technologies ranging from zero-energy cooling chambers to advanced storage systems. She proudly spoke of the successful transfer of such innovations to regions like Africa and Afghanistan.
“With zero-energy cool chambers, farmers can now store their produce for 15 to 30 days without electricity. It’s low-cost, easy to adopt, and already improving lives.”
Beyond technological transfers, Dr. Kaushik also highlighted Amity’s early commitment to e-learning and agricultural education. At the behest of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Amity was the first educational institution to launch an e-learning platform for African nations.
“We successfully launched the Pan-Africa e-learning platform in 2010. We continue to use it for online training of farmers and stakeholders, ensuring knowledge is just as transferable as technology.”
“It’s not just African countries that need these technologies. Wherever they’re needed, we must be open and willing to share.”
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