"Revolutionizing Indian Agriculture: Technology, Sustainability, and Future Pathways", Environmental Concerns, Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices,

 The agricultural sector in India is at a turning point. More over half of India's GDP comes from agriculture, which was the main engine of the economy when it gained independence 75 years ago. India is still one of the biggest and most varied food producers in the world today, and agriculture continues to play a major role in the country's economy, accounting for over 20% of its total income.

The world's food supply is currently the most urgent problem. Over the past 35 years, food demand has grown at a rate that is more than twice as fast as population growth. In actuality, 815 million people, or around 10% of the world's population, suffer from malnutrition and lack the nourishment necessary to lead active, healthy lives, according to a report published by the nourishment and Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). Modern technology is widely used in the agricultural industry. The farmers have benefited from it in numerous ways. Crop productivity and production have increased as a result of the use of new and improved technology. The cost of production has also decreased as a result of this. Additionally, technology has made farming simpler and more efficient.

The following are a few common technologies utilized in the agricultural industry: 

The first is the soil sensor, which measures temperature, soil moisture content, and other elements that impact crop growth. The farmer can modify his farming methods based on the data wirelessly transmitted to him by the sensors.

 GPS: Precision agriculture makes extensive use of GPS technology. It is beneficial to determine the field's boundaries and to properly administer insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. This improves efficiency and decreases waste.

meteorological monitoring: Farmers may now obtain real-time meteorological information to help them choose what crop to produce, when to sow, and how to irrigate. Weather apps and websites, as well as specialized weather stations on the farm, can provide this information. 

 Automation: Many agricultural operations, including planting, transplanting, harvesting, and others, now use automation. As a result, efficiency has grown and reliance on manual labor has decreased.

Drones: Mapping, surveying, and crop monitoring are key applications for drones. They aid in the gathering of information that is useful for agricultural planning and execution. 

 Agricultural Robots: These robots are being designed to do a variety of activities on farms, including cutting grass, gathering fruits and vegetables, and milking cows. These robots are capable of working for extended periods of time without experiencing fatigue and frequently outperform human labor.

Satellite imaging: Weather forecasting, crop monitoring, and yield analysis are all done via satellite imaging. It assists farmers in making prompt decisions on farming patterns, irrigation, etc. A major factor in raising agricultural output has been technology. For instance, mechanization has increased productivity and efficiency by reducing the need for human labor. By enabling the growth of crops in otherwise arid regions, irrigation systems have also contributed to an increase in output. Additionally, high-yielding crop types that are disease and insect resistant have been made available by contemporary technology. Food security has benefited from agricultural technology utilization as well.

More individuals now have access to wholesome and reasonably priced food because to increased production. Production and productivity in agriculture have increased thanks to modern technology. As a result, farmers' incomes and food security have increased. It has also contributed to the improvement of rural communities' quality of life and the creation of new jobs.

Agricultural Technology's ,Effect on Consumers Customers have been impacted by agricultural technology in a variety of ways. Modern technology has made it easier for farmers to produce more livestock and crops. Additionally, this has improved the items' quality. Production costs have also decreased as a result of the use of new technology. New techniques for marketing and distributing agricultural products have also been developed as a result of the use of new technologies. This has made it easier for the farmers to sell their goods to a larger market. Technology has also contributed to the creation of new jobs in the agricultural industry.

Farmers' Experiences with Agricultural Technology, Farmers all throughout the world have been greatly impacted in recent years by agricultural technology. These days, farmers can grow more crops and boost yields than ever before because to technology. Additionally, by using fewer laborers and inputs, businesses can lower their expenses. But there are also some disadvantages to using technology in farming. The tendency to become overly reliant on chemicals and machinery, which can be costly to maintain, is one of the primary issues. Aside from this, improper use might also have negative environmental effects.

The use of agricultural technologies can lead to job growth. Additionally, technology can aid in the creation of new agricultural jobs. Mobile phones and other digital technology, for instance, are giving farmers new ways to reach markets and sell their goods directly to customers. In addition, new job possibilities are being created in rural regions by the growth of value-added services like agritourism.

Precision agriculture is a data-driven method of managing farms that can raise yields and productivity, which will raise farming's total profitability. It lessens the environmental impact of farming by lowering the demand for inputs like water, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides. Mobile phones, satellite-based remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and more are all included.

Government Programs: For precise yield assessments at the Gram Panchayat level, YES-TECH is a technology-driven yield estimation solution that provides methodology, best practices, and integration insights. At the taluk/block and gram panchayat levels, automatic weather stations and rain gauges gather hyper-local weather data, which is hosted, managed, and processed by the WINDS Portal, a centralized platform.The portal supports the agricultural industry and rural economy by improving risk assessment and decision-making in crop insurance, agriculture advice, and disaster mitigation. 

By delivering enrollment straight to farmers' home, the AIDE app seeks to transform the process. Farmers now have easier access to and convenience with crop insurance thanks to this door-to-door enrollment, which guarantees a smooth and transparent process.

Additionally, more than 100 mobile applications created by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras have been gathered by ICAR and posted on its website. A digital multimedia network called Kisan Sarathi is utilized to send advice to farmers via 731 KVKs throughout the nation. SENSAGRI, or sensor-based smart agriculture: Drones are utilized in this project to gather valuable data and provide farmers with real-time access to it.The Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) developed the e-Crop, an Internet of Things device that uses text messaging to give farmers crop-specific agro warnings.

  

Environmental Concerns: Excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers can harm the ecosystem by causing biodiversity loss, water pollution, and soil degradation. Pesticide use has been connected to both water pollution and the loss of pollinators, including bees, who are vital for pollinating crops.

Way Forward: Raising farmers' awareness Educating farmers and other stakeholders about the effects of climate change and the necessity of implementing adaptation and mitigation measures can be encouraged by the Green Credit Program. The Green Credit Scheme is a cutting-edge, market-based tool that encourages voluntary environmental initiatives in a variety of industries.

Solarization of Agriculture: According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, using solar-powered irrigation can help lower the cost of agriculture's energy subsidies by more than Rs 1 lakh crore and lower oil import costs by consuming 1.38 billion gallons of diesel annually. Additionally, the World Irrigation Forum report estimates that off-grid solarization of pumps can assist minimize transmission & distribution losses by as much as 20%.Enhancing Training and Extension Services: A robust agricultural extension system is essential for disseminating the technology and knowledge produced by the research system to the various stakeholder groups that may adopt it and for converting production gains into higher value creation. The Indian agricultural extension system needs to be restructured in order for the sector to become a significant driver of economic growth in India. Cooperative Farming: As a result, it was essential to use modern technologies on small and marginally sized farms in a cost-effective manner by implementing some institution-building strategies, such as cooperative farming.

Promoting Sustainable Agricultural Practices: To reduce environmental effects, promote the use of sustainable technology and methods, such as conservation, precision, and organic farming. From the Green Revolution to the Gene Revolution, genetically modified seeds are thought to be more productive, more resistant to pests, and better suited for all types of farms and all agricultural areas. However, as its benefits and drawbacks for plants, animals, and human life have not yet been thoroughly investigated, the use of gene technology in Indian agriculture is up for controversy.

Conclusion: In order to boost agricultural production, enhance farmer livelihoods, guarantee food security, and accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG indicator 2.4.1), emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture sector toward low-input, high-efficiency, and sustainable practices.

Sustainable Farming: In order to preserve natural resources, improve soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and increase biodiversity, farmers must be motivated and supported to implement sustainable farming methods. In addition to embracing new technologies like precision agriculture, biotechnology, digital agriculture, etc., this can be accomplished by encouraging agro-ecological practices like organic farming, integrated pest control, agroforestry, etc.