Digital Public Infrastructure a Tool for Social and Economic Transformation: Experts

Mumbai, February 2026 : Experts have said that the effective use of Artificial Intelligence by integrating diverse data related to farmers, crops, climate, and market prices can significantly enhance transparency, coordination, and efficiency in the agriculture sector. They emphasised that Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is not merely a technological framework but a powerful instrument for social and economic transformation.

Speakers noted that beyond technology, the more important issue is how knowledge and intelligence are applied for the broader benefit of society. Diverse perspectives shared by global and international leaders during the symposium provided valuable direction. Participants expressed confidence that the deliberations would lead to concrete and implementable solutions for several initiatives being undertaken for agriculture and farmers.

The symposium was held on the theme of the global status of Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods in the agriculture sector, as part of the Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture and Investor Summit (AI for Agri 2026), organised under the Maharashtra Agriculture–Artificial Intelligence Policy. The session was moderated by Parag Dabhade from the Artificial Intelligence and Agritech Innovation Center (AIAIC).

The discussion featured Rajeev Chawla, Chief Knowledge Officer and Advisor, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India; Monica Petri, senior expert in natural resources and agriculture; EkStep Foundation CEO Shankar Maruwada; Arthur Reis Rimoldi, Director, National Registry of Family Farming; and Kazuhiro Kobayashi, CEO of Farm Alliance Management Company Limited.

Senior natural resources and agriculture expert Monica Petri said that Digital Public Infrastructure is not just a technical concept, but a comprehensive system that connects governance, society, and technology. She noted that agritech startups have introduced significant innovations in registration and traceability systems, with the “Unified API Sandbox” emerging as a particularly transformative concept. Petri added that India’s leadership in implementing DPI initiatives at the national level in agriculture has inspired other countries as well. Although agriculture is not yet fully digitised globally, the DPI model has the potential to bring about a major transformation in the sector.

Shankar Maruwada, CEO of the EkStep Foundation, said that three elements are crucial for the success of DPI: registration systems, interoperability, and architecture-driven innovation. He expressed confidence that through collaboration and coordination among countries of the Global South, the goal of achieving maturity in high-quality digital public infrastructure for agriculture can be realised within the next five years.

The experts collectively underlined that DPI-led innovation, supported by AI and collaborative global efforts, can play a decisive role in reshaping agriculture systems, empowering farmers, and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.