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Telangana Earns Global Spotlight for AI-Driven Agriculture at FAO Conference
On 18 June 2026, Telangana’s Agriculture Commissioner Surendra Mohan stepped onto the stage at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s headquarters in Rome to deliver the keynote address for the inaugural Global Initiative on AI for Agrifood Systems (GI‑AI4AFS). The conference, jointly organized by FAO, the International Telecommunication Union, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, marked the first occasion a state‑level government was invited to speak at a global forum on AI in agriculture.
Mohan outlined how Telangana has harnessed digital tools and AI‑based solutions to lift farm productivity, refine crop management, strengthen extension services, and enable data‑driven decision‑making. He noted that Telangana is the sole Indian state to receive an invitation to the forum, underscoring its pioneering role in applying AI to agrifood systems.
The state’s AI initiatives stem from its 2020 declaration of that year as the Year of AI. According to the AI4AI partnership website, the AI4AI framework has reached more than 500,000 farmers and launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange and Data Policy. Supported by the World Economic Forum, the framework delivers real‑time, hyper‑local advisories that blend crop intelligence, micro‑climate data and multilingual engagement tools.
In addition to AI4AI, Telangana signed a memorandum of understanding with AI‑hardware firm Blaize at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Announced on 26 January 2026, the MoU will create a Telangana AI Innovation Hub and advance applied AI projects across infrastructure, sustainability and public services, leveraging Blaize’s edge‑AI platform.
The state’s focus on AI in agriculture is complemented by projects such as Saagu Baagu, which promotes sustainable practices through data‑driven methods. A 2026 video of the project shows farmers using AI tools to monitor crop health and optimize inputs.
The FAO conference, scheduled for 1–3 July 2026, will explore how to scale smart farming systems and showcase innovations that support sustainable agrifood systems. Telangana’s participation aligns with the event’s theme of leveraging data and technology for sustainability.
GI‑AI4AFS, co‑founded by the ITU and FAO, aims to bring together governments, research institutions, industry and civil society to accelerate AI adoption in food and agriculture. The Rome meeting drew representatives from 30 countries and several international organisations.
Mohan’s keynote was well received by the international audience. While no formal award was presented, the recognition itself signals growing interest in state‑level AI deployments in agriculture. FAO has long emphasised the importance of data‑driven approaches for food security, and Telangana’s example offers a concrete model.
The event also highlighted the need for robust data governance and ethical frameworks for AI in agriculture. Telangana’s Agricultural Data Exchange incorporates privacy safeguards and data‑sharing agreements that comply with national regulations.
Looking ahead, Telangana plans to extend its AI4AI framework to additional crops and integrate satellite imagery for precision farming. The state also aims to collaborate with international partners to develop AI tools that predict pest outbreaks and climate‑related risks.
In sum, Telangana’s keynote at the FAO conference marks a significant milestone in the global dialogue on AI in agriculture. The state’s initiatives—AI4AI, the Blaize partnership and Saagu Baagu—demonstrate how digital technologies can transform farming practices and contribute to sustainable food systems.
The conference will continue to explore how AI can support smallholder farmers, improve supply chains and enhance resilience to climate change, with Telangana’s participation underscoring the potential for state‑level innovation to inform global policy and practice in agrifood systems.
Mohan outlined how Telangana has harnessed digital tools and AI‑based solutions to lift farm productivity, refine crop management, strengthen extension services, and enable data‑driven decision‑making. He noted that Telangana is the sole Indian state to receive an invitation to the forum, underscoring its pioneering role in applying AI to agrifood systems.
The state’s AI initiatives stem from its 2020 declaration of that year as the Year of AI. According to the AI4AI partnership website, the AI4AI framework has reached more than 500,000 farmers and launched India’s first Agricultural Data Exchange and Data Policy. Supported by the World Economic Forum, the framework delivers real‑time, hyper‑local advisories that blend crop intelligence, micro‑climate data and multilingual engagement tools.
In addition to AI4AI, Telangana signed a memorandum of understanding with AI‑hardware firm Blaize at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Announced on 26 January 2026, the MoU will create a Telangana AI Innovation Hub and advance applied AI projects across infrastructure, sustainability and public services, leveraging Blaize’s edge‑AI platform.
The state’s focus on AI in agriculture is complemented by projects such as Saagu Baagu, which promotes sustainable practices through data‑driven methods. A 2026 video of the project shows farmers using AI tools to monitor crop health and optimize inputs.
The FAO conference, scheduled for 1–3 July 2026, will explore how to scale smart farming systems and showcase innovations that support sustainable agrifood systems. Telangana’s participation aligns with the event’s theme of leveraging data and technology for sustainability.
GI‑AI4AFS, co‑founded by the ITU and FAO, aims to bring together governments, research institutions, industry and civil society to accelerate AI adoption in food and agriculture. The Rome meeting drew representatives from 30 countries and several international organisations.
Mohan’s keynote was well received by the international audience. While no formal award was presented, the recognition itself signals growing interest in state‑level AI deployments in agriculture. FAO has long emphasised the importance of data‑driven approaches for food security, and Telangana’s example offers a concrete model.
The event also highlighted the need for robust data governance and ethical frameworks for AI in agriculture. Telangana’s Agricultural Data Exchange incorporates privacy safeguards and data‑sharing agreements that comply with national regulations.
Looking ahead, Telangana plans to extend its AI4AI framework to additional crops and integrate satellite imagery for precision farming. The state also aims to collaborate with international partners to develop AI tools that predict pest outbreaks and climate‑related risks.
In sum, Telangana’s keynote at the FAO conference marks a significant milestone in the global dialogue on AI in agriculture. The state’s initiatives—AI4AI, the Blaize partnership and Saagu Baagu—demonstrate how digital technologies can transform farming practices and contribute to sustainable food systems.
The conference will continue to explore how AI can support smallholder farmers, improve supply chains and enhance resilience to climate change, with Telangana’s participation underscoring the potential for state‑level innovation to inform global policy and practice in agrifood systems.
