Punjab at the Crossroads of an Agricultural Revolution

January 21, 2026

Abhishek Vij

Agricultural experts agree that in both the country and Punjab, while farmers’ crop yields have increased, their income has not. Farmers receive only 10 to 30 percent of the market price, with middlemen taking the remaining 70 percent. The focus is on increasing farmers’ income, eliminating middlemen, and increasing the number of warehouses so that farmers can safely store their produce and receive a fair price from buyers at the appropriate time. Why should they be forced to rely solely on the minimum support price and remain trapped in the wheat and rice crop cycle? Many steps have been taken towards an agricultural revolution during the tenure of the current Punjab government.

The contribution of Punjab Agricultural University is significant. They have launched numerous diploma and M.Tech programs to prepare young people for the ultra-modern era of agricultural technology. Punjab is now emphasizing crop diversification.
A policy to cultivate oilseeds, pulses, and spices has been initiated. Agricultural research is being accelerated and focused on climate-friendly, short-duration, and high-yielding crop varieties. In these projects, decisions about crop planting are being made based on soil health. In Punjab, efforts are being made to increase farmers’ income through smart farming, smart irrigation, and water conservation. The aim is to transform agriculture from a traditional production-based activity into a technology-driven business. The major changes being attempted include the use of AI in farming, drones, Internet of Things sensors, and data-driven advice.

Farmers are using mobile apps, SMS, and WhatsApp to manage weather, pests, and crop conditions, thereby reducing costs and increasing production. This will create more income opportunities for small and medium-sized farmers. It is well known that most farmers in Punjab cultivate less than five acres of land. If digital agriculture and new technologies are introduced here, why wouldn’t the face of Punjab’s agriculture be completely transformed? With smart irrigation, organic farming, research and machinery empowerment, and by transforming farming from a mere way of life or a generational occupation into a technology-based business challenge for young people, why would young people leave their farms and migrate to cities or abroad? AI-based chatbots, e-mitra services, and a National Pest Surveillance System should be implemented to provide farmers with advice and pest identification services in their own language. The work has begun, the benefits are reaching the farmers of Punjab, and crop losses are being reduced.

The first evidence of these benefits reaching the farmers is that there is now significant market demand for their produce. Secondly, the rural unemployment rate has started to decrease compared to urban unemployment. Traditionally, disguised unemployment was a major problem in traditional farming, where farmers and their next generation worked on the same farm. When smart agriculture and technology-based businesses are established, young people will no longer be subject to disguised unemployment; instead, they can double or quadruple their farm income by adopting new methods.

An example of drone-based farming is Prabhjot Kaur, a farmer from Sangrur. Seeing her success, she has come to be known as the “Drone Didi” (Drone Sister) of the area. She first received training in drone operation herself and is now using drones for everything from education to essential supplies in the surrounding villages. If farmers happily embrace these changes, the success of the agricultural revolution is assured.