New India-UK Project To Use Quantum Power to Boost Soil Health and Food Security

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to Mumbai is spotlighting a major India-UK research partnership in quantum computing and biotechnology. At the heart of this collaboration is a joint project between Imperial College London and IIT Bombay, aiming to use quantum simulations to improve crop resilience and soil health in climate-vulnerable regions.

Researchers are modeling how plants and soil bacteria communicate, using quantum computing to simulate gene regulation and microbial signaling. Strigolactones, a plant chemicals that act as messengers between roots and microbes. The joint India-UK team is studying how synthetic versions of Strigolactones and biochar can enhance these interactions.

IIT Bombay contributes microbial ecology and genomics, while Imperial brings bioinformatics and quantum simulation capabilities. The aim is to boost natural processes that help crops thrive in arid and extreme weather conditions.

Quantum Roots: How India and the UK Are Using Quantum Computing to Reinvent Agriculture

In a world grappling with climate extremes, a groundbreaking India-UK collaboration is turning to quantum computing—not for finance or cryptography, but for farming. At the heart of this effort is a joint research project between Imperial College London and IIT Bombay, aiming to decode the invisible language between plant roots and soil microbes to build climate-resilient agriculture.

From Silicon to Soil: The Quantum Leap

Led by Dr. Po-Heng (Henry) Lee at Imperial and Dr. Indrajit Chakraborty at IIT Bombay, the project uses quantum simulations to model how plants communicate with microbes in the soil. The focus is on strigolactones—plant hormones that act as chemical messengers, triggering microbial responses that affect nutrient uptake, drought resistance, and overall soil health.

We’re not just simulating molecules—we’re simulating relationships, says Dr. Lee. Quantum computing lets us explore how microbial communities respond to plant signals under stress, and how we might enhance those responses.

The Science Behind the Soil

• Synthetic strigolactones and biochar are being tested to amplify beneficial microbial activity.
• IIT Bombay contributes microbial genomics and soil ecology expertise.
• Imperial College builds quantum circuit models to simulate microbial gene expression and signal transduction.

Strategic Roots: India-UK Tech Diplomacy

• The project is a flagship under the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), signed in 2024.
• Funded by the India Connect Fund, supporting up to 25 joint research efforts annually.
• Will be spotlighted during Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai for the Global Fintech Fest 2025.

Why It Matters

• Food Security: Quantum-enhanced soil treatments could boost yields in climate-stressed regions.
• Climate Adaptation: Understanding microbial resilience helps design farming systems that thrive under stress.
• Tech Transfer: Sets a precedent for applying frontier technologies to grassroots challenges.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just about quantum computing—it’s about reimagining agriculture as a system of intelligent, adaptive relationships. By simulating the unseen conversations beneath our feet, researchers hope to unlock new pathways to sustainability.

As Dr. Chakraborty puts it, We’re using the most advanced tools in physics to solve the oldest problem in civilization: how to grow food in a changing world.

Modi Govt Approves 7 Major Agricultural Projects With ~ $1.67 Bn Allocation in Total

Narendra Modi led central government of India has approved seven major agricultural projects with a total allocation of nearly ₹14,000 crore (about US $1.67 Billion) . These initiatives aim to modernize farming operations and enhance food security.

One of the key projects is the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM), which has an outlay of ₹2,817 crore. This mission focuses on leveraging technology to improve farmers' lives through initiatives like the Agri Stack and Krishi Decision Support System.

The Agri Stack is a key component of the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) in India. It aims to create a comprehensive digital database to support and enhance agricultural activities.

The Agri Stack will create a comprehensive database of farmers, land usage, and crop patterns, while the Krishi Decision Support System will use geospatial data and weather information to help farmers make informed decisions.

The 7 Agricultural Projects approved are:

1. Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM): ₹2,817 crore

Focuses on integrating modern technologies like AI and big data into farming to improve decision-making and efficiency.

2. Crop Science for Food and Nutritional Security: ₹3,979 crore

Aims to enhance research and education in agriculture, manage plant genetic resources, and improve genetic traits for food and fodder crops.

3. Strengthening Agricultural Education and Management: ₹2,291 crore

Modernizes agricultural education in line with the New Education Policy 2020, incorporating digital public infrastructure, AI, big data, and remote sensing.

4. Sustainable Livestock Health and Production: ₹1,702 crore

Focuses on improving livestock health and production to enhance the quality and quantity of animal-based food products.

5. Sustainable Development of Horticulture: ₹860 crore

Promotes the growth of horticulture to diversify agricultural production and increase farmers' income.

6. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and Natural Resource Management: ₹1,202 crore

Strengthens the network of KVKs and focuses on sustainable management of natural resources.

7. Natural Resource Management: ₹1,115 crore

Aims to ensure the sustainable use and management of natural resources in agriculture.

Overall, these projects are designed to modernize and enhance various aspects of agriculture, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the sector.

These projects are part of the government's broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience, ensuring a sustainable future for the sector.

The seven agricultural projects approved by the Indian government are designed to modernize and enhance various aspects of agriculture, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for the sector.

New High Tech Centre Launched to Climate-Proof Crop Production

Western Sydney University, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) Bangalore and the Indian Institute for Spices Research (IISR) Calicut, have partnered to launch a Centre in High Tech Protected Cropping Systems to address the impact of the changing climate on crop production.

The Centre will investigate hi-tech aeroponic crop production, crop health monitoring technologies with advanced sensors and cameras and ways to standardise pollination as part of a pilot, with a focus on innovation in aeroponics for high value crops such as microgreens, berries, cutflowers and spices under different lighting and nutrient conditions.

“This is an important pilot for finding cost effective farming that is not climate dependent,” the Deputy Director General of ICAR, A K Singh said. “Production using automated glass house technology is too expensive for the large-scale adoption in India. Working with Western Sydney University and other partners, we have an opportunity to bring together world class researchers from Australia and India to standardise production systems for high value crops like berries, greens, cut flowers and spices,” he said.

Officials from ICAR, IIHR, IISR and Western Sydney University launch a Centre in High Tech Protected Cropping Systems

“The collaboration builds on the very productive partnership between the University and the Indian Council for Agricultural Research,” said Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO. “Through cutting edge research, the Centre will explore new, sustainable approaches to production to enhance food security and farming livelihood,” said Professor Glover.

“This partnership in vegetables, berries and cut flowers at the IIHR and in spices at the IISR, plays a critical role in developing efficient, low-cost vertical growing systems for large scale adoption - sustainable farming technologies for the future,” said Dr Debi Sharma, Director, IIHR.

Dr Thankamony, Director IISR said, “Vertical farming can ensure high productivity in spaces per unit area, which means 50-60 per cent more harvest per unit area. However, these resources can only be effectively leveraged when adapted to Indian conditions, requiring a targeted research and development program.”

The Centre in High Tech Protected Cropping Systems will address increasing the farming community’s produce and thereby their income. The research programs will be managed by Dr Debi Sharma, Director, IIHR, Dr Thankamoni, Director, IISR and Dr Nisha Rakhesh, Senior Advisor (Research Strategy), Western Sydney University.

Western Sydney University was recently ranked number one in the world for its social, ecological and economic impact in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.

As part of its global mission, it is committed to collaborating with industry, education and non-government partners to tackle society’s grand challenges and support a more just and equitable world through teaching, research, outreach and stewardship.

Western Sydney University began operations on 1st January 1989, under the terms of the University of Western Sydney Act, 1988 which had been passed by the New South Wales Parliament in December 1988. Located in Western Sydney, the heart of the nation's third largest economy and one of the fastest growing population and employment centres in Australia, the University offers unlimited potential to students with the talent, drive and ambition to succeed. Ranked amongst the top two per cent of universities in the world, Western Sydney University values academic excellence, integrity and the pursuit of knowledge. The University is globally focused, research-led and committed to making a positive impact on the communities it engages with.

Aspire BioNest-University of Hyd Incubated Agri-Fintech Startup 'UPAJGURU' ,A Futuristic Crop Management System to Make Agriculture Profitable is Launching on Saturday

Dr. Chandrasekhar, Secretary of Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt of India; Dr Krishna Ella- CMD of Bharat Biotech and Dr Chintan Vaishnav Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission to grace the launch

Grus & Grade (G&G), a technology company operating in the Agri-tech/Fintech market, started by alumni of IIM Indore, IIIT Delhi and the University of Delhi will launch its first product ‘UPAJGURU’, a Agtri FinTech Platform. It will be launched on 12th March, Saturday in a function to be held at ASPITRE, BioNest, Department of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad.

G&G is incubated at Aspire BioNest, University of Hyderabad and Centre of Excellence in blockchain through APIARY, (STPI Gurgaon under Ministry of Electronics and Telecommunications, Government of India).

ASPIRE – Association for Scientific Pursuits in Innovative Research Enterprises is a section-8, not-for-profit organization that manages the innovation and entrepreneurial activities at the University of Hyderabad through incubation of start-up companies in various disciplines of science and technology.

The new futuristic platform with future full of promises will be launched in the presence of Chief Guests Dr. Chandrasekhar, Secretary of Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt of India; Dr Krishna Ella- Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited and Dr Chintan Vaishnav Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Delhi

Ravi Soni, Cofounder and CEO – “Our motto has been to change the perception of agriculture and endure absence of pride to the farming community. Upajguru bridges the gap of digital technology in the agri-value chain, so as to make it agriculture sustainable and profitable”

Adds Nitya Nand Deepak, Cofounder and COO – “UPAJGURU is a product of Grus and Grade is a futuristic crop management system set to make agriculture and agri business more efficient, profitable and traceable. In Particular it will also strengthen Farmers Producers Organisations(FPOs) and agribusiness consortiums”

UPAJGURU is a product of Grus and Grade is a futuristic crop management system set to make agriculture and agri business profitable, sustainable and traceable. UPAJGURU connects farmers with farmer collectives(FPOs), input suppliers, transporters, warehouses, marketplaces, insurance companies and banks at a single point of contact. It integrates game changing features at each step to reduce inefficiencies and leakages along the value chain.

Collectivisation, negotiation and transactions with input suppliers and at farm gate become seamless, and transparent. The IOT powered farm advisory system helps generate farm advice to mitigate environmental risks. AI enabled Integrated data predicts farm outputs and predictive market prices; Blockchain backed traceability from farm to fork promotes export and commercialization of nutritionally enhanced biofortified and organic foods and non-food crops. Automation and smart contracts ease transactions, provide a complete audit trail, thereby reducing credit risk for banks and insurance companies. With lending getting smoother, lending terms become easier and collateral free.

UPAJGURU hits all the right notes for sustainable, efficient, profitable agribusinesses. It creates value for all stakeholders, maximises per acre value and gives greater control to farmers.

The platform is a medium to unleash the spirit of entrepreneurship in the farmer and empower the collectives of farmers to innovate and adapt. A win win for present and future.

It is the need of the hour platform. The world population is set to grow upwards of 10 billion by the middle of the century. But would we have enough food to provide for it? Would farms produce enough to continue to provide for the new expanded world? The agricultural produce would have to double, and double soon enough for the future to prosper. Farming will have to don a new revolutionized avatar, one catering to the future and the environment. Agriculture as a business will have to become rewarding.

The Indian ‘Annadata’ has been struggling with poor access to inputs, farm loans at reasonable rates, environmental uncertainties and ever thickening layer of intermediaries before realizing profits. Farming for prosperity and that too for the future is a distant dream. Cutting into the inefficiencies of the current value chain is the only way to achieve that, he added.

The company has won India Startup 500 award in the year 2021 and best Agritech Start-up 2021 by CEO magazine.