AI Farming & Circular Economy: Sustainable Agriculture

Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing agricultural practices, with algorithms, AI models, and satellite imaging guiding farming decisions well before planting. Brahmjyot Singh Khalsi of Purple Farms highlights AI-driven climate control as a pivotal advancement, enabling year-round strawberry cultivation in Ahmedabad despite extreme temperatures.

Precision farming, remote sensing, and data-led decision-making have transitioned from experimental stages to widespread adoption, assisting farmers in optimizing yields, minimizing risks, and adapting to unpredictable environmental conditions. Vijay Singh, MD and CEO of Shunya Agritech in New Delhi, emphasizes AI’s expanding role in supply chain management, extending beyond crop health.

Cropin, based in Bengaluru, has partnered with SatLeo Labs to integrate advanced thermal and satellite signals with Cropin’s AI-driven agricultural intelligence platforms, enhancing ecosystem-level capabilities.

In related developments, a new wave of social enterprises and climate-focused startups is redefining waste management. These ventures are establishing circular economies that not only clean up communities but also generate livelihoods from materials ranging from temple flowers to cigarette stubs, plastics, and industrial scrap.

Ankit Agarwal’s Phool prevents flower waste by collecting, cleaning, and transforming discarded flowers into charcoal-free incense sticks and wellness products. Code Effort, founded by brothers Naman and Vipul Gupta, addresses cigarette butt waste, a significant global pollutant. Plannex Recycling, established by Yuvraj Bhardwaj, Yashraj Bharadwaj, and Ishita Bansal, concentrates on recycling complex waste streams such as plastics, tires, batteries, and solar panels.

These initiatives reflect a growing trend towards integrating technology and sustainable practices to enhance both agricultural precision and environmental responsibility.