Farming pressures are rising rapidly: Indian farmers saw input costs increase by 6.1% in FY2024–25, surpassing the MSP increases, which averaged just 5.36%.

Furthermore, erratic weather makes planning nearly impossible. It’s not that farmers aren’t trying; it’s that the old methods no longer match today’s problems. 

Green technologies are tools and methods that help you waste less, preserve more, and work smarter with what you already have, from low-cost drip systems to natural pest control and solar-powered equipment. The focus is on promoting long-term soil health, improving water use efficiency, and reducing reliance on expensive chemicals.

In this blog, we’ll look at eco-friendly technology in agriculture, what’s already working for farmers across India, and how you can start applying it without flipping your whole operation overnight.

What is Green Technology in Agriculture?

Green technology, also known as eco-friendly technology in agriculture, refers to tools and methods designed to minimise environmental harm, conserve resources, and enable farmers to produce more with less. 

It encompasses a wide range of innovations, including solar-powered pumps, soil-monitoring sensors, biotech-enhanced crops, and water-saving systems. Together, these technologies support resilient farming that’s kinder to people, nature, and the bottom line.

Core Technologies & How They Drive Eco‑Friendly Farming

Green technology in agriculture transforms farming into a more sustainable and efficient system. It achieves this by combining innovative, data-driven tools, renewable energy, controlled environments, biological solutions, and eco-friendly designs.

1. Precision Agriculture & IoT Sensors: Soil and leaf sensors gather real-time data on moisture, nutrients, and temperature. Farmers then use targeted irrigation and minimal fertiliser applications. This precise approach cuts input waste and limits runoff pollution.

2. Drones & Aerial Monitoring: Small drones equipped with multispectral cameras map crop health and detect pests early. That allows targeted sprays instead of blanket treatments. They also improve coverage while reducing emissions from machinery.

3. Smart Irrigation (Drip, Moisture‑Driven Systems): Drip lines and smart sprinklers deliver water directly to the roots. Paired with soil moisture sensors and weather data, they conserve water and prevent waterlogging.

4. Renewable Energy for Water & Power: On‑farm solar panels and small wind turbines power everything from groundwater pumps to greenhouses. Bioenergy systems recycle crop residues and manure into heat or electricity.

5. Controlled-Environment Farming & Vertical Systems: Greenhouses and vertical farms use LED lighting, climate sensors, and hydroponic or aquaponic setups to grow more on less land, reduce pesticide use, and lower transport emissions.

6. Biotechnology & Biocontrol: Plant breeding and GMOs yield pest‑ and drought‑tolerant varieties. Integrating natural predators, cover crops, and biopesticides reduces reliance on synthetic chemicals.

7. Agroforestry & Crop Rotation: Trees and crops grown together help prevent erosion, enrich the soil, and boost biodiversity. Rotation systems break pest cycles, cut chemical usage, and build long-term soil fertility.

8. Nanotechnology & Emerging Innovations: Nanoscale sensors can instantly detect soil chemistry or diseases. Plasma-treated water boosts germination. Agrivoltaics (combining crops with solar panels) and robotic weeding represent the next wave.

9. IoT4Ag: Researchers created biodegradable soil sensors that transmit nutrient and moisture data, reducing irrigation and fertiliser waste.

Why Eco-Friendly Technology in Agriculture is Necessary?

Green tech agriculture innovations reconnect agriculture with nature, helping farms regenerate, not just sustain, their productivity.

• Resource Efficiency: Farmers use less water, energy, and chemicals.

• Environmental Health: This reduces runoff pollution, greenhouse gases, and soil erosion.

• Resiliency: Systems become less vulnerable to droughts, pests, and climate shifts.

• Economics: Reduced input costs and potential energy income can boost farm profitability.

All of this centres on feeding more people, protecting nature, and boosting farmer viability, using fewer resources.

Green technology is about doing the same things, planting, watering, and protecting crops with better tools and less waste. Here's how these practices are helping bring balance back to the land.

How Does Green Technology Revive Sustainable Agriculture?

Green tech in agriculture restores soil vitality, refines resource use, and integrates farming with renewable energy and ecological systems. 

1. Restoring Soil Through Regenerative Practices

Techniques such as no-till farming, cover cropping, crop rotation, composting, and agroforestry help rebuild soil structure, enhance biodiversity, and increase carbon storage in soils. Healthy soil retains water better, reduces erosion, and supports resilient crops.

2. Smart Monitoring & Precision Resource Use

IoT sensors, drones, satellites, and AI scan fields for moisture, nutrients, weed hotspots, and pests. Automated irrigation and targeted fertiliser application trim waste and boost yields.

3. Biological Pest and Pathogen Control

Deploying beneficial insects (such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps), microbial agents, or natural biofumigation techniques reduces dependency on synthetic chemicals.

4. Renewable Energy Integration

Solar panels, wind turbines, and biomass systems power irrigation, greenhouses, equipment, and waste recycling. Agrivoltaics merges crop production with solar power, improving both energy output and crop microclimate.

5. Controlled‑Environment Systems

Greenhouses, vertical farms, hydroponics, and aquaponics enable high crop productivity on small land areas while reducing pesticide use and conserving water.

6. Smart Irrigation & Water Management

Soil moisture sensors, AI-driven sprinklers, drip systems, and rainwater harvesting systems reduce water use, preventing runoff and conserving supplies.

7. Nanotech & Advanced Soil Treatment

Nanosensors detect early soil or plant stress. Biosolarisation, which utilises tarps, compost, and solar heating, suppresses soil-borne pests without the use of toxic chemicals.

In India’s Madhya Pradesh, a WWF-led transition from GMO to organic cotton, utilising biofertilisers and pest-control cooperatives, has improved soils, profits, and biodiversity.

Also Read: 8 Modern Farming Methods of Agriculture: Techniques

Green technology does more than sustain, it regenerates. By restoring soil, trimming resource use, harnessing biological systems, and integrating energy solutions, these tools renew the health and productivity of farms. 

As real-world cases demonstrate, eco-friendly technology is linked to stronger yields and healthier ecosystems, ensuring sustainable food systems that last.

Shifting to eco-friendly methods may feel like a significant step, but the benefits speak for themselves. Let’s explore how sustainable farming benefits not only the environment but also supports long-term productivity and farmer well-being.

What are the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Technology in Agriculture?

Eco-friendly agricultural technologies reduce environmental damage, conserve critical resources, and boost both farm productivity and profitability. 

Eco-friendly agricultural technologies offer a triple win: they rebuild soil health, safeguard natural resources, and increase yield stability, all while reducing emissions and costs.

1. Soil Health and Carbon Storage

Practices such as no-till farming, cover cropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, and composting replenish organic matter and microbial life in the soil.

These methods also help sequester carbon; no‑till combined with cover crops can lock away more CO₂ than either alone.

2. Water Savings and Management

Drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, soil moisture sensors, and AI-guided sprinklers reduce water use, depending on the system.

Controlled‑environment farming and vertical systems recycle water within closed loops, significantly reducing usage and loss.

3. Reduced Chemical Inputs & Pollution

Adopting integrated pest management, biological controls, and precision spraying reduces pesticide use and stops nutrients and toxins from entering soil and water. Natural fertilisers like compost and cover crops supply nutrients without harming ecosystems.

4. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Support

Diverse cropping, hedgerows, pollinator habitats, and agroforestry foster biodiversity, reducing pest outbreaks and improving ecosystem resilience. Farms that mimic natural habitats help stabilise food webs and shield against disease.

5. Energy Savings & Carbon Emissions Reduction

Renewable energy, including solar, wind, and bioenergy, powers irrigation, machinery, and greenhouses, thereby reducing fossil fuel use. Agrivoltaics (co‑locating solar panels with crops) boosts land-use efficiency by 60–70%, lowers emissions by ~69%, and delivers diversified farm income. Electric tractors and equipment eliminate engine emissions, helping slash carbon footprints.

6. Yield Stability, Resource Efficiency, and Economic Benefits

Precision agriculture, using IoT, drones, satellites, and AI, optimises resource use, reduces input waste, and increases yields. Reduced input costs, enhanced premium markets, and access to eco-conscious consumer segments boost profitability.

7. Climate Resilience and Food Security

Healthy soils retain moisture and buffer weather shocks. Predictive tools help farmers anticipate droughts, pest invasions, and other threats. CEA, vertical systems, and microclimate farming ensure stable production even during extreme weather.

Farmers in Nagpur, India, are now utilising floating solar-powered irrigation systems to grow three crops annually and lower their energy costs.

Farmers benefit from more efficient resource use and improved access to growing markets for sustainable products. As these tools spread, agriculture becomes more regenerative and future-proof, feeding communities while protecting the planet.

Leher helps bring eco-friendly practices into daily farm work with intelligent drone spraying that uses up to 40% less input and saves 90% water. Its network of over 100 drone entrepreneurs has already supported more than 2,100 farmers across 30,000 acres. 

Download the Leher app from the Google Play or the App Store.

Across India, thousands of farmers are already using practical green solutions to save money, enhance soil health, and reduce water usage. Here are some of the most widely adopted practices and tools currently used on real farms.

What are the Eco-Friendly Technologies in Agriculture Practices Used in India?

India is increasingly embracing eco-friendly technology to preserve soil, reduce pollution, conserve water and energy, and uplift small farmers. These solutions blend modern tools with local traditions for practical, low-cost impact.

1. Solar-Powered Irrigation & Micro-Irrigation

Schemes like PM-KUSUM have sanctioned over 228,584 solar pumps in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, replacing diesel and reducing energy costs. Drip and sprinkler systems, often paired with soil sensors and IoT, minimise water use by 30–70% while boosting yields in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

2. Remote-Controlled Irrigation (Nano Ganesh)

Nano Ganesh units connect irrigation pumps to mobile phones, enabling approximately 60,000 farmers in Maharashtra to switch pumps on and off, thereby saving time and electricity.

3. IoT, Drones & Precision Farming

Startups like Cropin provide real-time soil, weather, and pest data, enabling more intelligent pest control and irrigation management. Drone-assisted aerial spraying is used to apply decomposers to stubble in Punjab and Haryana, thereby reducing pollution.

4. Biofertilisers, Biopesticides & Natural Farming

Models like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and microbial inputs (Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Trichoderma) revive soil health and cut fertiliser use. Cow-based products, organic fertilisers, and biogas from Uttar Pradesh Panchgavya units provide clean energy and sustainable inputs.

5. Agroforestry and Conservation Tillage

Integrating trees with crops in Madhya Pradesh and Northeast India boosts biodiversity, stabilises microclimates, and sequesters carbon (~25 t/ha/year). No-till and crop rotation in Punjab and Haryana improve soil organic matter and reduce erosion.

6. Climate‑Resilient Seeds & Carbon Farming

The government released 109 drought- and pest-resistant seed varieties for rice, aiming for climate-ready agriculture. ISRO-funded carbon farming at RPCAU Bihar will track CO₂ and water flux via Eddy Covariance towers to support sustainable land use.

7. Renewable Energy & Waste Valorisation

Gujarat leads in bioethanol and biogas (CBG) production from dairy byproducts; household biogas units are planned in the tens of thousands. NARI (Maharashtra) develops ethanol stoves, biogas cookers, and biomass gasifiers.

8. Controlled-Environment Agriculture & Vertical Farming

Hydroponics and rooftop vegetable gardens in Kerala, Karnataka use 80–90% less water and support urban food resilience.

India’s new technology mix, including solar pumps, smart irrigation, biological inputs, precision tools, renewable energy, climate-resilient seeds, and carbon farming, supports soil, water, climate, energy, and livelihoods. Grounded in government schemes and farmer-led innovation, this approach is building agriculture that’s productive, regenerative, and resilient.

While upfront costs or new systems may seem like a hurdle, many green methods reduce long-term spending. This section explains how smart investments in sustainability can lead to tangible savings and improved income stability.

What are the Economic Implications of Eco-Friendly Technology in Agriculture Practices?

Shifting to green agriculture cuts costs, boosts incomes, and makes farming more resilient. Evidence from India and global cases reveals how eco-friendly methods bolster farmer income, reduce subsidies, and open premium markets.

1. Cost Reduction and Resource Efficiency

Natural farming cuts cultivation costs up to 60% for crops like green gram and reduces water use by 25% and fertiliser use by 50% in Rajasthan.

Removing chemicals saves up to 25% in input costs on organic farms. Scaling natural farming to just 20% of arable land in Rajasthan could save ~₹781 crores/year in power subsidies.

2. Income Enhancement and Revenue Diversification

Organic produce in India secures premium prices; the country's organic market may reach ₹75,000 crore by 2025. In Sikkim, farmers avoid chemical costs and access higher-value markets, reducing debt and increasing revenue.

Climate-smart techniques in drought-prone regions of India have boosted household income by approximately ₹84,770 annually, with smallholders experiencing a gain of up to 80%.

Regenerative cotton farming in Gujarat cut fertiliser use by 23%, reduced emissions, and increased earnings through intercropping and agroforestry.

3. New Income Streams and Sectoral Spin-offs

Households earning 1% more from non-farm sources raise environmental efficiency by ~4%, showing that eco-friendly farming complements income diversification.

Uttar Pradesh’s Panchgavya initiative creates small enterprises in organic inputs, biogas, and bricks, spurring employment among women and youth.

Sikkim’s eco-brand attracts eco-tourists; tourist arrivals rose by over 50% from 2014 to 2017.

4. Long-Term Value and Risk Resilience

Small farms in eastern India log higher returns per CO₂ unit, and marginal farms outperform larger farms. Natural farming in Andhra Pradesh helped farmers withstand cyclones, as demonstrated by their resilient performance during Cyclone Michaung.

Eco-friendly agriculture introduces cost savings through reduced chemical dependency and lower energy costs, paired with income gains from premium sales, diversification, and eco-tourism. Smallholders gain the most in terms of efficiency and earnings, while governments benefit from lower subsidy expenditures. 

In the longer term, resilient, resource-smart farming enhances food security and financial stability, positioning farms and communities on a stronger economic footing for the future.

Green tech in agriculture isn’t standing still. As farmers face new challenges, the tools are also evolving. Here’s a quick look at what’s coming next and how the future of farming is being shaped by practical innovation.

What is the Future of Eco-Friendly Technology in Agriculture in India?

India’s agricultural sector is gearing up for a tech-driven green revolution, integrating advanced tools, renewable energy, biological innovations, and data-rich approaches to build a resilient, sustainable farming future.

1. Carbon Farming with High-Resolution Monitoring

ISRO’s partnership with RPCAU Bihar involves the addition of Eddy Covariance towers to track CO₂ and water vapour flux in real-time. This paves the way for precise carbon farming, helping farmers optimise soil carbon storage and water efficiency.

2. Electric Tractors and Clean Mechanisation

Maharashtra rolled out its first 45 HP electric tractor in June 2025. Run costs are lower, and tailpipe emissions are eliminated, signalling a clean-machinery shift across India.

3. AI-Driven Weather Advisory & Farm Intelligence

AI-based forecasting tools and satellite data, such as Cropin and FarmBeats, are becoming increasingly available. Farmers using these tools reduce their debts, increase earnings, and better weather-proof their crops.

4. Smart Irrigation and IoT Integration

With digital irrigation controllers like Nano Ganesh and precision tools from collaborations between PAU and BITS Pilani, remote pump control and soil sensor-based watering are expanding across districts.

5. Biological Innovations and Soil Microbiome Advances

The discovery of beneficial soil bacteria such as Bacillus ayatagriensis near Kolkata sparks interest in using native microbes for seed and soil health management.

6. Bio-Based Packaging from Farm Waste

ICAR and VNIT teams in Nagpur are creating biodegradable packaging from orange peels, reducing plastic pollution and supporting circular farming systems.

7. Agri-Startups & Digital Ecosystem Expansion

Over 1,700 agritech startups in India are scaling up AI, drone, IoT, blockchain, and biotech applications through government-backed programmes such as AgriStack, Digital Agriculture Mission, NICRA, and Precision Farming.

Also Read: Top Innovations in High-Tech Agriculture

India is entering a greener, data-first phase in agriculture. Carbon farming, electric machinery, AI-driven advisories, microbial treatments, and circular recycling are converging to create a more innovative and cleaner food system. 

As institutional backing and private innovation gain momentum, farms are poised to become ecosystems that are productive, profitable, and regenerating.

You don’t have to do it all on your own. Leher offers simple, on-demand drone services that make modern farming tools more accessible and less expensive. Here’s how Leher helps you adopt sustainable practices without overhauling your whole farm.

How Leher Can Help You With Sustainable Agricultural Practices?

Many farmers today are facing rising fertiliser prices, dry spells, and soil that just isn’t producing like it used to. Trying to keep up using the same old methods can feel frustrating and exhausting.

That’s where Leher comes in with practical support that fits your daily work. From spraying to monitoring crop health, our drone services are designed to help you save time, water, and money, all without the need to purchase new machines or make changes all at once.

Here’s how Leher makes it easier to farm sustainably:

• Save Water, Save Inputs: Leher’s drones use only what’s needed, no more, no less. Spraying is done with precision, cutting down chemical use by up to 40% and water use by up to 90%. That means less runoff, healthier crops, and more value from every drop and rupee.

• Improve Soil Over Time: Excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides can break down your soil. With targeted application from drones, you avoid over-spraying and give your soil time to recover naturally. This helps maintain long-term fertility and supports better harvests season after season.

• Avoid Overwork During Peak Season: Manual spraying is hard, especially when labour is short or the sun is high. Leher helps you cover up to 50 acres in a day, without wearing yourself out or hiring large teams. You stay on schedule, even during tight windows.

• No Heavy Investment: Buying a drone can cost lakhs. With Leher’s Drone-as-a-Service model, you only pay when you need it. Just book through the app, and a certified pilot handles the rest. No maintenance, no storage, no hassle.

• Create Jobs, Support Your Community: Leher’s Drone Partner Programme trains local youth to offer services in their villages. It’s a way to build income for others around you, while making new tech available at the village level.

Sustainable farming isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing smarter with what you already have. Leher gives you access to modern tools that help you waste less and grow more.

Book a free demo or talk to our team. Download the Leher app from the Play Store and Apple Store today. 

FAQs

1. Can green technologies help reduce the carbon footprint of livestock farming?

Yes. Innovations like anaerobic digesters convert animal waste into biogas, reducing methane emissions. Precision feeding systems also help cut excess protein in diets, lowering nitrogen waste. These solutions make livestock farming less polluting and more resource-efficient.

2. Do solar-powered irrigation systems work during cloudy days or monsoons?

Modern solar irrigation setups often include battery backups or hybrid systems connected to the grid. Even on low-sunlight days, stored energy or alternative sources can keep pumps running. Some systems also reduce power needs by using efficient DC motors.

3. Are biochar and green manure technologies scalable for smallholder farmers?

Yes. Portable biochar kilns and on-farm compost pits allow smallholders to turn crop waste into carbon-rich soil amendments. Some NGOs and agri-startups now offer shared equipment or training programmes that make these methods accessible even in remote areas.

4. How do AI-driven tools avoid bias in decision-making for small farms?

AI models mainly trained on data from large farms can misguide smallholders with different conditions. To address this, some platforms now include region-specific soil, climate, and crop data, allowing farmers to provide real-time feedback to fine-tune recommendations.

5. Can biodegradable mulch films fully replace plastic mulching in tropical climates?

Biodegradable mulches made from starch or cellulose are improving, but their durability varies depending on the climate. In tropical conditions with heavy rain and heat, some break down too quickly. Farmers often blend them with organic mulches or use newer formulations tested for high-humidity environments.