Agri Summit 2024
SIIB Auditorium | 20th December 2024 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Batch 2023-25 and 2024-26 | Participants – 240+
Panelists:
- Mr. Gulshan Singh Rana, Head, Market Development and Commercial Capability, IBSL Bayer Crop Science Ltd.
- Mr. Madhab Adhikari, Vice President & Head, Sales and Marketing, Fertilizers and SSP, Coromandel International Ltd.
- Dr. Amit K Tripathi, CEO, CytoLife Agritech Pvt. Ltd.
- Mr. Niraj Shukla, Vice President, NCDEX
- Mr. Pratik Gupta, Director, KPMG
- Mr. Harsh Rawat, Lead Commercial – Maize, Olam Agri
On 20th December 2024, the Agribusiness Department of SIIB, Pune, hosted its annual flagship event, AGRISUMMIT 2024. The event revolved around the theme “From Local Farms to Global Markets: Expanding India’s Global Footprint for a Viksit Bharat @ 2047,” aiming to delve into strategies and innovations for strengthening India’s agribusiness sector globally.
The event commenced with an engaging introductory video, which set the stage for insightful discussions on global market trends, export potential, and sustainable agriculture. This was followed by a lamp-lighting ceremony, with the dignitaries and Dr. Alka Maurya, Director of SIIB, Dr. Prakash Rao, Deputy Director of SIIB. Dr. Alka Maurya then delivered the opening address, highlighting the critical need for value addition, innovation, and sustainability to boost India’s agricultural exports.
The guest speaker sessions at Agrisummit 2024 brought forth a wealth of knowledge and insights from industry stalwarts. Mr. Gulshan Singh Rana emphasized the critical role of R&D in agriculture, citing that ₹1 investment in R&D yields ₹13.85 in returns, while addressing challenges like low mechanization, food security, and climate change. He advocated for innovations such as drone technology, phytobac systems, and soil analysis to empower small farmers and enhance global competitiveness. Similarly, Mr. Madhab Adhikari shared Coromandel International’s sustainability initiatives and the “Nano Revolution” in fertilizers, highlighting the success of the “Drone Didi” scheme and the need for export-quality fertilizers. Dr. Amit K Tripathi inspired attendees with his session on “Vikshit Krishi for Vikshit Bharat,” discussing the intersection of agriculture and nutrition and urging everyone to consider what their food has “eaten.” He explored future possibilities like digital phenotyping and diagnostics to ensure nutritional security.
Further, Mr. Niraj Shukla detailed NCDEX’s initiatives to modernize mandis and facilitate inclusive growth through commodity trading platforms. Mr. Pratik Gupta discussed the evolving agri-tech landscape, presenting a vision of India achieving $30 billion in GMV by 2027 through blockchain traceability, precision farming, and enhanced rural logistics. Lastly, Mr. Harsh Rawat highlighted the importance of maize procurement processes and the role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in responsible sourcing and better pricing. He also addressed challenges in storage, transportation, and quality grading, advocating for better infrastructure and farmer awareness.
The event’s Q&A session explored sustainable leadership, technological integration in agriculture, and policy’s role in driving innovation. The interactive Q&A session allowed participants to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities within the agribusiness sector.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Prakash Rao, Deputy Director of SIIB. Dr. Rao expressed heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed panelists for their invaluable contributions, the sponsors for their unwavering support, and the organizing committee for their dedication and hard work. He emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in transforming India’s agribusiness landscape and achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The success of Agrisummit 2024 was made possible with the generous support of its sponsors, Sustainida – a marketplace for sustainable and eco-friendly products, and Millets Now – an Agrozee Organics initiative. Their contributions underscored the importance of sustainability and innovation in agriculture.
Key Takeaways:
“Innovation, value addition, and export quality are the cornerstones of India’s agricultural growth.” – Rajshree Prajapati, MBA AB (2023-25)
“Empowering small farmers and leveraging digital tools can transform India’s agribusiness landscape.” – Ananya Dubey, MBA AB (2024-26)
“The future of agriculture lies in combining sustainability with regenerative practices and technological advancements.” – Pradeepthi, MBA AB (2024-26)
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