Industry Odisha Bureau, Sept 27: Silicon Valley-based technology firm FarmX has submitted a ₹1,000-crore investment proposal to the Odisha government to set up a manufacturing and export hub for autonomous electric tractors, artificial intelligence (AI) software, robotics and intelligent farm systems.
A FarmX delegation led by Chief Operating Officer Premal Ashar and Head of AI Lalit Bhatt presented the proposal to Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who holds the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy portfolios. Additional Chief Secretary (Electronics and IT) Vishal Kumar Dev was also present.
The project combines a manufacturing campus with a precision farming initiative. The campus is planned to produce 1,000 autonomous electric tractors and one lakh field-sensing units a year for domestic and global markets. It is expected to generate up to 1,120 direct and 3,700 indirect jobs in specialised technology fields.
On the farm front, the company will deploy FarmMap, its open-architecture platform. The system uses satellite imagery, patented OSMO soil moisture sensors and an Odia-language mobile app to give farmers real-time field data and automated irrigation, helping cut the use of water, fertiliser and pesticides.
Singh Deo said Odisha is actively courting global innovators in AI, semiconductors and electric mobility to create high-skilled jobs for local youth and raise agricultural productivity.
The proposal is under active discussion. Officials said the state remains committed to offering ready infrastructure, quick policy support and access to global markets for pioneering industries.
