
Written By: Jagriti Shahi
India’s agriculture sector has long been the backbone of its economy, employing over 50% of the workforce and contributing significantly to rural livelihoods. However, despite its centrality, the sector faces numerous challenges related to productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. A major part of the problem lies in the significant disconnect between advanced agricultural technologies and the actual needs of Indian farmers. With the country becoming a global technology hub, there is immense potential to harness these innovations to modernize Indian agriculture, but several barriers remain.
In this article, we explore the complexities of bridging the gap between cutting-edge technological solutions and the everyday realities of Indian farmers. We will discuss the small size of farm holdings, technological mismatches, social and cultural barriers, and the roles that organizations like Global Launch Base and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can play in facilitating the adoption of technology in Indian agriculture.
1. Fragmented Farm Holdings: A Key Structural Challenge
The small and fragmented nature of Indian farms is a foundational challenge in the adoption of modern technologies. According to the Agriculture Census of India (2020-2021), the average farm size in India is only 1.08 hectares, with small and marginal farmers (those with less than 2 hectares of land) comprising 86% of the farming population. These farmers are often unable to invest in high-end technology due to the limited economic scale of their operations.
In countries like the United States or Brazil, where farms span hundreds or thousands of hectares, it is easier for farmers to justify the use of drones, autonomous tractors, or sophisticated irrigation systems. In contrast, for small farmers in India, technology like precision farming or satellite imagery may seem irrelevant when they are struggling to access basic resources such as water, fertilizers, or seeds.
One of the key challenges in connecting technology with Indian agriculture is the small size and fragmentation of farmholdings. Unlike large-scale farms in countries like the United States or Australia, where high-tech solutions can be seamlessly integrated, Indian farms are much smaller. The average farm size in India is just 1.08 hectares, which is significantly smaller compared to countries like Brazil (74 hectares) or the United States (175 hectares).
This small scale of operations limits the ability of farmers to invest in expensive technologies like satellite-based crop monitoring or large-scale irrigation systems. Instead, Indian farmers require affordable, scalable, and simple solutions tailored to small plots of land.

Figure: Average Farm Size Comparison (India vs. Other Countries)
Data Insight: The Global Context
A comparison of average farm sizes reveals the vast difference in scale: while the average farm size in the US is around 175 hectares, in India, it is only 1.08 hectares. This stark contrast indicates that technologies designed for large-scale, commercial farms are not easily adaptable to Indian conditions, where farming is often subsistence-oriented and fragmented.
The Need for Low-Cost, Scalable Solutions
What Indian agriculture requires is not necessarily the most advanced technology but affordable, scalable solutions that cater to small and marginal farmers. Tools like mobile apps providing weather updates in local languages, solar-powered irrigation systems, and low-cost drip irrigation are examples of technologies that could be more effective in the Indian context. Customization of high-tech tools to the scale and affordability of Indian farms is critical to closing the gap.
2. Technological Mismatch: On-Ground Realities vs. Advanced Innovations
While India’s tech ecosystem is brimming with innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and satellite technologies, the question remains: how well do these innovations align with the needs of Indian farmers? Despite advances in agri-tech, many Indian farmers still rely on traditional farming techniques. They face challenges such as water scarcity, unpredictable weather patterns, low soil fertility, and inadequate access to markets—issues that high-tech solutions often fail to address directly.
High-End Solutions vs. Ground-Level Issues
Consider satellite-based crop monitoring systems, which provide real-time data on crop health, soil conditions, and weather. These technologies are incredibly powerful in large-scale agriculture, helping farmers make data-driven decisions. However, for a small farmer in rural India who may not even own a smartphone or have internet access, such a system remains out of reach.
The Power of Mobile Technology
A more practical and scalable solution might be leveraging mobile technology. With nearly 58% of rural India owning a mobile phone (according to a 2021 report by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), mobile-based agricultural advisory platforms can provide timely information on weather, pest control, and market prices. These solutions can be made even more effective by providing content in regional languages and dialects to ensure accessibility for farmers who may not be literate or tech-savvy.
While the size of landholdings poses a challenge, there is a growing opportunity in the form of mobile phone ownership among rural farmers. As per recent data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), mobile phone ownership in rural India has increased from 42% in 2015 to 63% in 2020. This surge in mobile phone usage presents an incredible opportunity for mobile-based agricultural technologies such as advisory apps, weather forecasting, and remote sensing.
The widespread availability of mobile phones allows for real-time updates, empowering farmers with data on weather patterns, market prices, and crop management practices. Mobile technology offers a cost-effective, scalable, and accessible solution for even the smallest of farms.

Figure: Mobile Phone Ownership in Rural India (Year-Wise Growth)
Success Story: Kisan Suvidha
A government-backed initiative, Kisan Suvidha is a mobile application that offers farmers critical information such as weather forecasts, market prices, and advice on best farming practices. Available in multiple languages, the app has gained popularity among farmers by addressing their real-time needs through a simple and intuitive interface. This showcases the power of localized technology in overcoming the digital divide in Indian agriculture.
3. Social and Cultural Barriers: The Trust Deficit
Another significant barrier to technology adoption is the social and cultural landscape in rural India. Farming communities are deeply rooted in tradition, and there is often a high degree of skepticism toward new technologies, particularly those coming from external entities. Mistrust of outsiders—whether they are from neighboring states or international companies—is a common issue. This is compounded by the fact that many farmers have limited exposure to modern technology, leading to a reluctance to adopt unfamiliar tools.
Data Insight: Language Diversity
India is home to over 1,600 languages, with 22 officially recognized languages. Within states like Karnataka, multiple dialects of the same language can be spoken across different districts. For instance, a farmer in the rural district of Kodagu may speak a distinct dialect of Kannada that differs significantly from the dialect spoken in Bengaluru. This linguistic diversity presents challenges for tech companies looking to engage with farmers at a grassroots level.
Building Trust Through Local Engagement
For international companies looking to introduce agricultural technologies in India, building trust is crucial. This can be achieved by partnering with local organizations, including FPOs, which have established relationships with farmers. Providing training and education in local languages, offering in-person demonstrations, and maintaining a long-term presence in the community are critical strategies for overcoming the trust deficit.
4. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): A Double-Edged Sword

Figure: Access to Modern Agriculture Technologies
FPOs were established as a means of organizing small and marginal farmers into collectives, enabling them to pool resources, access better markets, and share knowledge. In theory, FPOs should serve as a conduit for introducing new technologies to farmers, providing them with the resources and bargaining power to adopt modern tools. However, the reality is more complex.

Figure: Growth of FPO in India (2010-2024)
The Role of Caste Politics in FPOs
In many parts of rural India, FPOs have become entangled in local political dynamics, often reflecting the power structures of caste and religion. A 2022 study by the Centre for Rural Development revealed that in many FPOs, membership is restricted to individuals from certain castes, while others are excluded based on political and social biases. This undermines the inclusivity of FPOs and limits their ability to act as neutral intermediaries for technology adoption.
Data Insight: Ineffectiveness of FPOs
According to a 2021 report by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), only 30% of FPOs in India are fully operational, with many existing solely on paper. Lack of leadership, inadequate funding, and political interference have rendered many FPOs ineffective, further hampering their ability to connect farmers with technological innovations.
Reforming FPOs for Better Tech Adoption
Reforming FPOs to be more inclusive and transparent could unlock their potential as agents of change in Indian agriculture. This includes removing political interference, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring that FPOs are genuinely farmer-led organizations. By strengthening FPOs, platforms like Global Launch Base can work through these collectives to introduce scalable, accessible technologies to Indian farmers.
Bridging the Gap
Global Launch Base, an international platform focused on connecting companies with emerging markets, has the potential to act as a critical bridge between high-tech companies and Indian farmers. By leveraging its global network and expertise, Global Launch Base can help facilitate the transfer of technology in a way that is both culturally sensitive and economically viable for small and marginal farmers.
Localized Solutions and Partnerships
A key strategy for Global Launch Base would be to work with Indian agricultural universities, research institutes, and FPOs to localize high-tech solutions. This could involve adapting global technologies to the unique needs of Indian farmers, such as developing low-cost IoT devices for monitoring soil moisture or creating mobile apps that provide pest control advice in regional languages.
Capacity Building and Training
In addition to introducing technology, Global Launch Base can play a role in building farmers' capacity to use these tools. This would involve organizing training programs and workshops in collaboration with local governments and agricultural extension services. Farmers who are educated about the benefits and usage of technology are more likely to adopt and integrate these innovations into their farming practices.
FPO Integration
Global Launch Base can also focus on reforming FPOs, ensuring that they become more inclusive and efficient in promoting technology adoption. By working with FPOs, the platform can reach a large number of farmers at once, fostering a collaborative approach to modernizing agriculture.
Conclusion: A Path Forward for Indian Agriculture
Bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and Indian agricultural farms is a complex challenge, but one that is essential for the future of the sector. India’s small farm sizes, linguistic diversity, social barriers, and political dynamics all contribute to this complexity. However, by focusing on localized solutions, building trust through community engagement, and strengthening FPOs, international companies and platforms like Global Launch Base can play a significant role in transforming Indian agriculture.
The key is to ensure that technology is not only accessible but also relevant to the everyday challenges faced by Indian farmers. By balancing innovation with tradition and working from the ground up, we can create a more sustainable, tech-savvy future for Indian agriculture. The journey to bridge this gap will not be easy, but with the right strategies, it is possible to create lasting change that benefits farmers and the wider agricultural ecosystem.
About Global Launch Base:
Global Launch Base helps international startups expand in India. Our services include market research, validation through surveys, developing a network, building partnerships, fundraising and strategy revenue growth. Get in touch to learn more about us.
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