National Consultation on Advancing Lifelong Learning for Farmers Concludes with Vision for Technology-Driven Rural Transformation

Chennai, 11 October 2025

The two-day National Consultation on "Advancing Lifelong Learning for Farmers: Scaling up, scaling out and scaling deep" was held from 10-11 October 2025 at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), charting an ambitious roadmap to reimagine farmer education for the next decade through artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and personalised learning approaches.

The consultation, which brought together stakeholders from research institutions, cooperative banks, government departments, farmer organisations, and technology experts, focused on transforming the 20-year-old Lifelong Learning for Farmers (L3F) initiative into a cutting-edge, AI-enabled framework responsive to modern agricultural challenges.

In his valedictory address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, outlined three critical shifts needed for L3F 2.0: moving from generalised information to precision and personalised intelligence; addressing the inadequate scale and speed for modern challenges; and creating a data-driven ecosystem that converts knowledge into real-time problem-solving.

Dr. Shadrach emphasised that while L3F has achieved significant impact over two decades—demonstrating clear economic benefits, empowering marginalised and women farmers, and facilitating technology adoption—the initiative needs broader visibility and faster scaling to meet contemporary demands.

The consultation identified several priority areas for the future framework. These include integrating artificial intelligence-machine learning (AI-ML) models to provide real-time, location-specific, multimedia information delivered through platforms trained by artificial intelligence in formats farmers can immediately act upon. Digital and data literacy emerged as crucial, with participants calling for programs to empower farmers to collect, use, and critically evaluate digital data from sensors, drones, and satellites. The need for personalised learning through chatbots that function like friends or coaches, providing guidance across the entire agricultural value chain from farm to market, was strongly emphasised. Gamification and micro-credentials for on-the-job training with certification to support both academic and professional career advancement were also highlighted. Additionally, the consultation stressed using AI for climate resilience to model climate vulnerability impacts and recommend climate-resilient varieties and regenerative agriculture practices.

Stakeholder Participation

The consultation featured panel discussions with representatives from farmer producer organisations (FPOs), self-help groups (SHGs), NABARD, cooperative banks, and digital technology platforms. Thematic working groups deliberated on ICTs and open distance learning, women and youth engagement, and financial inclusion.

Day two's design thinking workshop facilitated co-creation of the L3F 2.0 framework, with keynote addresses on financial inclusion, agricultural innovation systems, and digital technologies shaping the discussions.

Blueprint and Way Forward for L3F 2.0

A significant outcome of the consultation was Dr. Shadrach's recommendation to establish a core team of 12-15 experts to author a comprehensive blueprint—not a report, but a practical concept note—for L3F 2.0. This blueprint will be circulated to government and private stakeholders across India and other Commonwealth regions to build partnerships and enable widespread implementation.

Mr. Vikas Kanungo, Global AI & Digital Transformation Strategist with experience at the World Bank, UN, and FAO, who addressed the consultation, stressed that ICT-driven and technology-led applications are crucial for engaging youth in agriculture. He noted that young farmers and women become interested in agriculture when given options for tech-driven solutions, as these provide better social standing and entrepreneurial opportunities compared to traditional farming.

Dr. R. Rengalakshmi, Executive Director (Area Operations), MSSRF, who opened the consultation, presented the closing vision statement emphasising that L3F 2.0 must address the changing agricultural landscape marked by climate risks, digital transformation, shifting gender roles, and youth aspirations.

The consultation also highlighted the critical importance of ethical data governance, with calls for farmers and communities to retain ownership of their data—a particularly vital consideration in an AI-driven future where data sovereignty becomes paramount.

The consultation concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Nabeela Ata, CEMCA, acknowledging the collaborative spirit that will drive the transformation of lifelong learning for India's farming communities over the next decade.