The agri-tech sector is projected to generate 60,000-80,000 new jobs over the next five years, according to a senior executive at TeamLease Services. Agritech is transforming all aspects of farming, from innovations in water irrigation and seed, fertilizer, and pesticide management to providing access to advanced machinery and market linkages for selling produce, said Subburathinam P, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Services, in an interview with the news agency PTI.
Additionally, the sector equips farmers with real-time advisory services, including climate forecasts, pest and disease predictions, and irrigation alerts, enabling them to make better-informed decisions. It also plays a crucial role in addressing financial gaps by offering credit, insurance, and digital payment solutions, he added.
"The agritech sector in India employs approximately 1 lakh people across various roles, including technical, operational, and managerial positions. In the five years, the sector is expected to generate 60-80K new job opportunities. These will span across roles like AI development, technology, supply chain management, and sustainable farming solutions," Subburathinam said.
He stressed that most agritech jobs are not seasonal, as the sector primarily focuses on technological innovation, analytics, and continuous operational support. For positions that may experience seasonal peaks, such as crop monitoring or operations during sowing and harvesting, employees are often reassigned to tasks like data analysis, equipment maintenance, or upskilling during the off-season.
He further explained that agritech jobs consist of a mix of hybrid and on-ground roles. While software development, data analytics, and management positions can often be done remotely, roles such as machine operators, field technicians, and agronomists require employees to work directly on-site to assist farmers and oversee field operations.
These job opportunities are concentrated in agriculture-intensive states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram serve as hubs for agritech startups, offering numerous opportunities in development and management roles.
He noted that while advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and IoT are contributing to the sector’s growth, the focus remains on providing practical, user-friendly tools for farmers. Agritech is revolutionising agriculture by connecting farmers to better resources and opportunities, particularly smallholder farmers, leading to higher yields, reduced costs, and sustainable growth.
According to an EY report, the agritech sector in India presents a $24 billion opportunity, though it remains largely untapped with only 1.5 per cent market penetration. India had around 450 agritech startups in 2022, growing at 25 per cent year-on-year, based on data from NASSCOM.