Rajasthan needs champion farmers, AI outreach and alternative farming models to combat water crisis: Experts

Alwar : Rajasthan's worsening groundwater depletion cannot be addressed through water conservation measures alone and will require urgent action on soil health, nutrient management, quality farm inputs, farmer awareness, and adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, experts said at an agriculture conference at Krishi Vigyan Kendra on Tuesday.

Calling for a multi-pronged approach to safeguard the state's agricultural future, experts stressed the need to create a network of "champion farmers" who can drive behavioural change at the grassroots level, while warning against the growing threat posed by counterfeit seeds and pesticides to farm productivity and sustainability.

The observations were made during the Regional Policy Dialogue on ‘Strengthening Sustainable & Water-Smart Agriculture in Rajasthan’ organised at ICAR-KVK Alwar-II, Bansur, under the Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards 2026 initiative by Sustainability Matters, IndiAgri, and ACTION (Alliance for Change, Transformation, and Innovation).

The participants included Saurabh Garg, Assistant Director, Agriculture (Extension), Behror; Leelaram Jat, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Kotputli; Dr Sushil Kumar Sharma, Soil Science Expert, ICAR-KVK Bansur; Dr Premchand Garhwal, Horticulture Expert, ICAR-KVK Bansur; Deepak Jakhar, AGM, NABARD; Arvind Kumar Jat, CEO, Pragatisheel Mustard Producer Company Limited; progressive farmer Dharmveer Yadav; and Dr Navneet Anand, Executive Director, Sustainability Matters.

Dr Sharma said Rajasthan's agriculture faces a dual challenge of conserving natural resources while maintaining productivity and farmer incomes. "Improving soil health, promoting balanced nutrient management, ensuring access to quality farm inputs, and encouraging scientific water management practices are critical for strengthening agricultural resilience in the state. Farmers will need continuous technical support and awareness to adapt to changing climatic conditions," he said.

Dr Anand added that sustainable agriculture has become a strategic necessity for India's food and water security. "Rajasthan offers important lessons for the country in managing agriculture under resource-constrained conditions. Building water-smart agriculture will require collaboration between policymakers, scientists, industry, civil society organisations and farmers. Creating champion farmers, leveraging technologies such as AI for agricultural outreach, and promoting innovative farming models can significantly accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices," he said.

He added that the Sustainable Agriculture Summit & Awards platform has evolved into a national forum for advancing conversations around climate-resilient agriculture and rural transformation.

The conference brought together agriculture scientists, financial institutions, farmer leaders, and FPOs and industry stakeholders to deliberate on solutions for Rajasthan's mounting water stress and climate-related agricultural challenges.

Participants noted that in line with the Government of India's Khet Bachao Abhiyan, greater emphasis must be placed on sustainable farming practices, balanced nutrient management, and improving soil health to enhance water-use efficiency and long-term farm productivity.

Experts also highlighted the need to actively engage local communities, voluntary organisations, and farmer groups in agricultural extension efforts to ensure effective implementation of government schemes and scientific recommendations at the village level.

With water availability emerging as one of Rajasthan's biggest constraints, the dialogue also advocated greater promotion of hydroponics, aquaponics, and aeroponics as viable alternatives for sustainable agriculture, particularly in water-stressed regions.

“Following two National Sustainable Agriculture Summits in New Delhi and Regional Policy Dialogues in Bhopal, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Patna and Baraut, the Alwar consultation continues our effort to bring region-specific agricultural challenges and solutions into the policy discourse," Dr Anand added.

The event concluded with the presentation of awards recognising progressive farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, FPOs, and organisations contributing to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.