Priya Singh
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged India’s growing space startup ecosystem to look beyond traditional space applications and develop solutions that can support sectors such as agriculture, livestock, dairy and environmental protection.
During an interaction with founders and CEOs of 20 space startups at Seva Teerth, Modi highlighted the potential of space technology to address challenges on the ground and improve services that directly impact people’s lives.
Modi encouraged space startups working on agricultural applications to work closely with agricultural universities and government departments.
Such partnerships can help develop practical solutions for farmers, including better access to information and technologies that can support decision-making and improve agricultural outcomes.
The interaction also focused on expanding the use of space-based technologies across different sectors.
Startups working on AI-powered weather and climate intelligence, satellites, advanced propulsion and other emerging technologies were among those who participated in the interaction.
Modi also encouraged startups working on space-debris management to collaborate with environmental organisations and explore wider applications of their technologies.
The 20 startups represented a range of areas including launch vehicles, satellites, avionics, propulsion, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal and AI-based weather and climate intelligence.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of young entrepreneurs entering the space sector and emphasised the importance of continued innovation and collaboration.
He also encouraged startups to connect with Atal Tinkering Labs and school students to create greater interest in space technology among the younger generation.
The push comes as India’s private space ecosystem expands, with growing opportunities to apply satellite and space-based technologies not just in space missions, but also in farming, livestock, weather forecasting and environmental management.