Maharashtra has signed a ₹2,500 crore memorandum of understanding with Nutrifresh Farm Tech India Pvt. Ltd. and Rural Enhancers Group at the World Economic Forum in Davos, launching a large-scale, technology-driven programme aimed at modernising agriculture, improving climate resilience and boosting rural livelihoods across the state.
Agreement details and timeline
The MoU was formalised in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and senior state officials, signalling Maharashtra’s effort to attract sustained global investment in agri-infrastructure and digital farming. Implementation is slated to begin in April 2026 and will be rolled out in phases across Maharashtra’s key agricultural belts.
Technology and operational approach
Nutrifresh will lead deployment of advanced agri-tech solutions under the programme, including AI-powered farm management systems, IoT-enabled monitoring and controlled-environment farming. These interventions are designed to raise productivity, stabilise output across seasons and reduce climate-related crop variability.
Founded in 2019, Nutrifresh has expanded operations across more than 15 Indian states and has a presence in select international markets. Under the partnership, the company intends to scale its technology-led, sustainable farming model in Maharashtra with a focus on commercial viability and environmental safeguards.
Funding, governance and partnerships
The Maharashtra government will provide policy support, regulatory facilitation and institutional coordination to enable project execution. Rural Enhancers Group will serve as the funding partner and project integrator, coordinating multiple financial stakeholders.
Investment mobilisation is expected through a blended financing model combining domestic and international sources—such as Indian public sector banks, development finance institutions and overseas lenders—aimed at ensuring long-term capital while keeping farmer affordability and participation central to the programme.
Climate resilience, inclusivity and rural impact
A primary objective of the ₹2,500 crore initiative is to promote climate-resilient agriculture through efficient water use, reduced chemical dependence and sustainable crop-management practices. The programme also targets reductions in post-harvest losses through structured market linkages and technology-enabled supply chains.
Beyond yield improvements, the project emphasises employment generation in rural areas, greater participation of women in agribusiness and development of allied activities such as agri-tourism. These measures are intended to raise farmer incomes and widen economic opportunities in Maharashtra’s hinterlands.
Strategic significance and future prospects
Nutrifresh has outlined long-term plans to expand its farm footprint and build a scalable network delivering residue-free, nutrient-rich produce year-round. By aligning corporate growth with state-led rural development objectives, the partnership seeks to position Maharashtra as a model for public–private collaboration in Indian agritech.
The MoU signed at Davos represents one of the state’s largest commitments to technology-led, climate-smart agriculture and could set a benchmark for subsequent large-scale agricultural investments across India.
