Will Big Tech Control Agriculture in India? A Critical Look at the Growing Influence
As India's agricultural sector transforms in response to climate uncertainty, shifting consumer preferences, and global supply chain disruptions, a new and powerful player is entering the scene: Big Tech. With deep pockets, data supremacy, and digital infrastructure, large technology companies are increasingly penetrating India's rural economy. But does this signal a new era of opportunity for farmers—or a creeping concentration of power that could reshape agriculture on their terms? The Rising Digital Footprint in Indian Agriculture India’s agricultural sector contributes nearly 18% to the GDP and employs over 40% of the workforce. Yet, it remains largely fragmented, informal, and under-digitized. Recognizing this gap, technology firms are offering solutions that promise precision, scalability, and efficiency—ranging from AI-driven weather forecasting, soil monitoring sensors, drones, to agri-marketplace platforms. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Indian startups ...