New Delhi, December 20, 2025 – Two leading Indian farmer associations, the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC) and the Bhartiya Kisan Coordination Committee (BKCC), are partnering with the Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI) to explore advanced agricultural technologies in the Netherlands. This collaboration aims to expose Indian farmers to innovative farming practices, enhanced seed technology, and advanced crop enhancement methods that have allowed the Netherlands to become the world's second-largest exporter of agricultural products, despite its small size.
Gunvant Patil, the General Secretary of AIKCC, emphasized the critical need for technological innovation to boost Indian agriculture. He stated that many Indian farmers are still using older seed varieties that require significant improvement to enhance agricultural production. The AIKCC is particularly interested in understanding crop enhancement techniques for staple crops like cotton, rice, and wheat.
Guni Prakash, a member of BKCC, highlighted the importance of international exposure for farmers, particularly those from Punjab and Haryana. The planned visit to the Netherlands seeks to provide opportunities to learn about new agricultural technologies and advanced methods to improve crop quality and productivity.
The discussions between AIKCC, BKCC, and FCCI took place during the FCCI-organized International Diaspora Conference held on December 19–20 in New Delhi. This event brought together members of the Indian diaspora, policymakers, scholars, and officials to discuss India's development goals, with agriculture identified as a key sector.
Jasbir Singh, the President of FCCI, welcomed the collaboration and pledged his support, emphasizing that knowledge exchange and technological cooperation are essential for advancing Indian agriculture.
The Netherlands has become a global leader in sustainable agriculture through a combination of innovation, a circular economy approach, and strong collaboration between farmers, agri-tech innovators, researchers, and policymakers. Dutch farmers are known for using up to 90% less water in advanced greenhouses compared to traditional open-field systems. They optimize every square meter through smart greenhouses, hydroponics, and data-driven farming systems. Technology is integral to Dutch sustainable farming, with farmers using IoT sensors, AI monitoring, and drip irrigation systems to track plant health and soil moisture in real-time.
The Dutch government's "Circular Agriculture 2030 Vision" aims to transform agriculture into a circular system focused on reuse, recovery, and regeneration. This involves embracing practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, compost-based fertilization, and reduced tillage to rebuild organic matter and restore carbon balance.
By learning from the Dutch model, Indian farmers hope to improve their crop yields, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a more sustainable and productive agricultural sector. The collaboration between AIKCC, BKCC, and FCCI represents a significant step towards modernizing Indian agriculture and ensuring food security for the future.
