~Anant Ambani outlines Reliance’s partnership with Andhra Pradesh’s Indian School of Agriculture, focusing on AI, Jio Krishi, clean energy, animal husbandry and rural entrepreneurship.
Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, Oct 02 (VNI): Reliance Industries Limited Executive Director Anant Ambani said that the Indian School of Agriculture being established in Madanapalle will bring together artificial intelligence, modern technology and the traditional knowledge of India’s farmers, while creating new opportunities to make agriculture more profitable, prestigious and sustainable. Addressing the gathering in the presence of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Nara Lokesh and other dignitaries, he said the institution would become a platform for empowering farmers and young people in rural India.
Ambani said he was grateful to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for inviting him to witness the establishment of what he described as India’s first hi-tech, modern and world-class School of Agriculture. Recalling that Naidu had brought the Indian School of Business to Hyderabad about 25 years ago, he said, “Today, you are giving the Indian farmer his own ISB.” He said the Indian School of Agriculture would develop farmers as leaders of their own enterprises, adding that the institution would bring together “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” under one roof.
He said artificial intelligence could help farmers receive early warnings about pest attacks, while drones could map crop health and enable precise use of water and nutrients. Robotics, cloud computing, price intelligence and greenhouse technology could further reduce losses, improve productivity and help farmers make better decisions. He said greenhouse technology could contribute to an “Evergreen Revolution”, while technology and clean energy could enable farmers to become “Urja Daatas” along with being the providers of India’s food security.
Ambani announced that Reliance Industries would work with the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the development of compressed biogas (CBG) plants, with an investment of ₹1 lakh crore in the state. He said the projects were expected to create more than three lakh jobs and generate nearly ₹60,000 crore in revenue for the state over the coming decades. He said Reliance was also committed to supporting the Indian School of Agriculture through strategic investment, digital capabilities, technical expertise and industry partnerships.
He outlined four areas in which Reliance and the Indian School of Agriculture could work together. First, Jio would collaborate with the School to take its training modules to millions of farmers in Indian languages through virtual classrooms in villages, while digitally enabled rural youth could serve as extension workers. Second, Reliance would share knowledge and technology developed through Jio Krishi and its bio-energy research and development capabilities. Third, he proposed a close relationship between the School and Vantara’s proposed Global University for Wildlife and Veterinary Sciences, with a focus on hi-tech animal husbandry and animal care.
Fourth, Ambani said the institution could help make agriculture a profession that young Indians choose with pride by providing them with skills, technology and entrepreneurial opportunities within their own villages. He said too many young people leave farming because of uncertain incomes and limited opportunities, and stressed the need to equip rural youth to build successful futures locally.
Referring to Andhra Pradesh’s investment momentum, Ambani said that since June 2024, the state had approved 388 mega projects with investment commitments exceeding ₹14 lakh crore and the potential to create nearly 11 lakh jobs, with about one-third of the projects headed to Rayalaseema. He said Reliance was proud to contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s development through clean energy projects in Rayalaseema and support the state’s “Swarna Andhra 2047” vision in alignment with the goal of Viksit Bharat.
Ambani said the Indian School of Agriculture was being founded on the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Recalling Gandhi’s message that India lives in its villages and Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, he said the institution could help translate the ideals of Sarvodaya and Antyodaya into greater prosperity for farmers. Referring to Madanapalle’s association with Rabindranath Tagore, he said the town had once given a new expression to India’s national anthem and was now beginning “a new morning song for the Indian farmer.”
He also expressed his commitment to Andhra Pradesh, telling Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, “Treat me as a son of Andhra.” He said Reliance was grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Government and farmers of Andhra Pradesh in the historic endeavour. “Today, we are not just laying foundation stones. We are laying the foundations for rural enterprise, stronger villages, a more sustainable India, and most importantly, for improving the lives of our farmers,” he said. VNI NEWS, Anant Ambani, Indian School of Agriculture, Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, Nirmala Sitharaman, Pawan Kalyan, Reliance Industries, Jio Krishi, agriculture technology, AI in agriculture, CBG plants, Rayalaseema, Viksit Bharat, Swarna Andhra, Indian School of Agriculture, Anant Ambani agriculture speech, agriculture technology Andhra Pradesh, Jio Krishi, Reliance Andhra Pradesh investment, Rayalaseema agriculture, AI in farming, VNINews.’