Naidu to inaugurate AP agriculture-technology hackathon

More than 1,500 business heads, farmers, NGOs, experts from agriculture and technology were expected to participate in the three-day event -- AgTech Summit 2017.

The valedictory session of the event will be presided over by Microsoft Corporation's co-founder Bill Gates, said T Srinivasa Rao, Officer on Special Duty to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

"The initiative will be a great integration of IT and Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture sector besides giving importance to horticulture, aquaculture and animal husbandry," Naidu said in a statement.

The event is being organised by the Andhra government along with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalberg Advisors and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The government will sign agreements with top three start-ups, after a contest, that are providing technology- based solutions for small and marginal farmers.