ICAR-NAARM organizes Agri Entrepreneurship Development Programme for Students of SKNAU, Jobner, Rajasthan

9th January 2023, Hyderabad

The a-IDEA, a Technology Business Incubator of ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad organized a sensitization programme on “Entrepreneurship Development in Agriculture and Allied Sectors” for the students of Shri Karan Narendra Agriculture University (SKNAU), Jobner to impart knowledge on entrepreneurship.

Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM in his presidential remarks stressed the importance of converting waste to value. He highlighted the food losses in India are equal to UK food consumption for a year. He further underlined the need to work on various post-harvest operations viz., processing, grading, storage and efficient marketing mechanisms for reaping major monetary benefits to the ultimate stakeholders.

Dr. A.K.Gupta, Dean and Faculty Chairman, SKNAU, Jobner, who was the chief guest during the programme asked students to inculcate entrepreneurial qualities like planning, passion, business savvy, confidence and a never-give-up attitude required for the entrepreneur to reach the pinnacle in their profession.

Dr. G. Venkateshwarlu, Joint Director, ICAR-NAARM, who was also present during the occasion highlighted the importance & opportunities in startup India. He also explained the need to reorient the agriculture course curriculum in the lines of entrepreneurship. He also mentioned about the various events viz., Aggnite, Krishiboot and the immersion programme organized by a-IDEA.

Dr. N.A. Vijay Avinashilingam, Addtl. CEO, a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad reiterated the need and highlighted the importance of startups and the process of incubation in entrepreneurship.

Dr. B. Ganesh kumar, Principal Scientist stressed the necessity of skillsets required for the students and also said that they should be a risk taker and visionary to become a successful entrepreneur.

Mr. Venkata Sai Teja Duggempudi, Founder & CEO, FarmOR Agri -Solutions Pvt Ltd & an entrepreneur working on supply chain explained his successful entrepreneurial journey.

About 500 students and faculty members virtually participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad)