The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has joined hands with Syngenta and Google to launch Hackcore 2026, a national-level artificial intelligence hackathon aimed at developing technology-driven solutions for India’s agriculture sector. The initiative is being organised through IIT Ropar’s ANNAM.AI Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture.
Hackcore 2026 is designed to bring together students, researchers, developers, startups and innovators from across the country to create practical AI solutions for some of the most critical challenges faced by Indian agriculture.
Focus on Smart Farming Solutions
Participants are invited to build AI-powered applications in several priority areas, including crop health monitoring, pest and disease detection, soil intelligence, climate-resilient farming, precision agriculture and the adoption of biological products.
The organisers believe that technology-led innovations can help improve farm productivity, support sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to India’s long-term food security goals.
Mentorship and Industry Exposure
Apart from the competition, shortlisted participants will receive mentorship from experts at ANNAM.AI, Syngenta and Google. They will also gain access to research opportunities, technical workshops and interactions with industry leaders working on real-world agricultural challenges.
The programme aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while helping young innovators translate research ideas into practical solutions for the farming community.
Cash Prizes and Incubation Opportunities
The organisers have announced cash rewards for outstanding projects along with opportunities for incubation and future collaboration for promising innovations.
Applications for Hackcore 2026 are open until July 21, 2026. Students, startups, researchers and technology enthusiasts from across India are encouraged to participate and contribute to the country’s growing agri-tech ecosystem.
Advancing AI-Driven Agriculture
The launch of Hackcore 2026 highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in modernising agriculture through data-driven decision-making and smart farming technologies. By combining academic expertise with industry knowledge and advanced technology platforms, IIT Ropar, Syngenta and Google aim to accelerate the development of scalable AI solutions that can help farmers improve productivity, optimise resources and build resilience against climate and market-related challenges.
