High-tech farming mainly refers to agricultural operations involving the latest technologies. It is a capital intensive agriculture since large capital outlay is required towards purchase of specialized equipment, maintenance of assets, training of labour, etc. Hi-tech agriculture mainly relates to commercial farming system aimed at catering to the needs of both, domestic as well as export markets. It uses farming technology to increase yields, ensures high quality (usually pesticide-free) and realizes increased market value. Growing temperate vegetables in a tropical climate and developing disease-resistant plants through genetic engineering are common examples of hi-tech agriculture.

Advantages of high-technology farming

• Increase in yield up to 5 to 8 times - high productivity per unit area
• Significant saving in key inputs like water (up to 50%), fertilizers (25%) and pesticides.
• Better growth and uniformity in quality
• Feasible even in undulating terrains, saline, water logged, sandy & hilly lands

Potential areas for Hi-tech agriculture

• Urban and peri-urban areas to meet requirements of fresh produce like vegetables, fruits and flowers round the year
• Areas with limited land and water resources
• Areas where availability of land for cultivation is restricted because of snowfall and where low temperature is prevalent restricting cultivation of crops under
open field conditions.
• Small and marginal land holdings for adopting intensive production technologies
• As an agri-business enterprise for enterprising youth in rural and urban peripherals