a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM organised Immersion Programme on Linking FPOs with Startups at Bengaluru

30th December 2022, Hyderabad

a-IDEA, Technology Business Incubator of ICAR- National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad organised FPOs/FPCs, Farmers, Startups Immersion Programme at Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Bengaluru in collaboration with University of Horticultural Science Campus at Bengaluru today with an objective to connect the FPOs/ FPCs and the farmers of Karnataka with the startups supported by a-IDEA.

Prof. S. Ayyappan, Chairman, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy (KSTA), Bengaluru, Karnataka and Former Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR given presidential address. He discussed the role of profit in sustaining startups in the long run with the support of scientists for technology refinement, business planning and growth models play an important role in making a startup successful. FPOs can be considered as bulk suppliers to government agencies.  

The Chief Guest Dr. M V Venkatesh, IAS, Commissioner, Watershed Development Department, GoK emphasised on the importance of understanding the needs of the farmers and catering to their needs as per their requirements by developing customized products.

Dr. Ch. Srinivas Rao, Director, ICAR NAARM, Hyderabad said  food wastage attributes to losses worth Rs 1 lakh crore. Hence, the startup should focus on reducing food losses, making wealth out of agriculture. Value addition is a necessity to avoid post-harvest losses.

Dr. K S Mahesh, GM, NABARD, Regional Office, Bengaluru stated that FPOs are becoming the backbone of the nation and three M's such as Monsoon, Market and Money are play major role in creating impact on farmers and FPOs.

The startups presented their innovations, products and services and demonstrated its advantages. The event acted as an ultimate platform for networking between them for successful business transactions and for further collaboration with FPOs.

About 20 startups and 90 FPOs and farmers from different places across Karnataka attended the programme

Senior officials from NABARD, NGOs, CBBOs and officials from Watershed Development Department, Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru and other reputed organizations graced the event.      

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