Kokate Calls for Faster Adoption of Farmer-Focused Agricultural Technologies

Dr. Kokate urges agricultural universities to fast-track farmer-focused technologies, enhance AI integration, and update curricula, aiming to make research more accessible and relevant to farmers, boosting practical agricultural education.

Pune, April 21, 2025: At the recent meeting of the Maharashtra Agricultural Education and Research Council, Dr. Kokate made a strong call for accelerating the introduction of new agricultural technologies developed by the state’s universities. He emphasized that these innovations should be designed with the farmer’s needs in mind, ensuring they have a real impact on the field.

The meeting, held on Sunday, April 20, brought together key figures including Vice President of the Council Tushar Pawar, Principal Secretary Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Agricultural Commissioner Suraj Mandhare, and several university leaders. Kokate reviewed the ongoing research at agricultural universities across the state and shared his expectations for future initiatives.

“We must focus on making our research and technologies more accessible to farmers,” Kokate said. “Currently, agricultural universities are only reaching 30 to 40 percent of farmers. We need to change that. Our universities should be producing solutions that farmers can use on the ground.”

He also highlighted the importance of modernizing educational programs, suggesting that they be aligned with the latest policies and advancements, especially the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). “It’s time we bring AI into both education and agriculture to better prepare students for the challenges ahead,” he added.

Kokate’s comments reflect a strong need to bridge the gap between academic research and practical, hands-on solutions for farmers. His vision is clear: agricultural education must be more relevant, more accessible, and more focused on empowering the farmers who are the backbone of India’s agricultural sector.