The 3rd Annual Agrochemicals R&D Innovations India Summit 2025, held in Mumbai on May 28–29, brought together leading voices from across the agri-tech sector to explore innovations shaping the future of Indian agriculture. Among the key highlights was an engaging panel discussion on “Data-Driven Agriculture: Optimising Agrochemical Use & Unlocking Sustainable Value Chains.”
The panel featured Mr. Ankit Laddha, a respected thought leader in agri-digital transformation, alongside Mr. Simhadri Naidu and Mr. Ankur Vermani, with Dr. Sangeeta Dawar Mendiratta serving as the moderator.
In his remarks, Mr. Laddha underscored the critical need to strengthen the last mile of Indian agriculture. “We cannot talk about agri transformation without fixing the last mile,” he stated, pointing to the influence of over 3.5 lakh agri-retailers who guide daily input decisions for farmers across the country. He highlighted that these retailers represent India’s most under-leveraged asset, and with the right digital tools, they can evolve into trusted advisors at scale.
The panel also emphasized the importance of contextual and actionable data. Mr. Laddha argued that agricultural insights must go beyond high-level dashboards and be translated into real-time, voice-based nudges that farmers can understand and act upon immediately.
Taking the conversation beyond productivity and input optimization, Mr. Laddha called for a more inclusive vision of agri-tech one that creates rural livelihoods. He proposed service-based models that empower rural youth with income opportunities, ownership, and a sense of pride, enabling scalable transformation not just in farming, but across entire value chains.The session concluded with a shared commitment among panelists to drive sustainable change through innovation, inclusion, and ground-level impact.
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