AgriTech could unlock $90 bn across Southeast Asia with India leading gains

Digitalisation and AgriTech adoption could unlock over $90 billion in annual GDP gains across Southeast Asia by 2033 with India having capacity to lead the gains, a report said on Thursday.

The joint report from Omnivore, Beanstalk AgTech, and Briter said that India's venture and governance evolution offers the most instructive model for unlocking the largest untapped agricultural technology opportunities in the world in Southeast Asia.

The report identified four verticals showing the most credible momentum, including digital value chains, inclusive AgriFinTech, agrifood life sciences, and sustainable consumer brands.

AgriTech investment in the region peaked at over $750 million in 2022 before easing nearly 70 per cent by 2025 as investors reassessed fragmented value chains and venture scaling challenges of the region. Agriculture contributes approximately 15 per cent of GDP and employs up to 40 per cent of the workforce across the region.

Development finance institutions and impact investors have committed about $650 million to agrifood funds across the region and remain essential to the capital stack. The next phase of scaling, according to the authors, will require blending equity, credit, and concessional capital.