National Webinar on Role of Agri-Entrepreneurship in Atmanirbhar Bharat organized

13th September 2020, Ludhiana

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab in collaboration with the Agrivision organized a Webinar on “Role of Agri-Entrepreneurship in Atmanirbhar Bharat” today.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare outlined the various schemes started by the Government of India for the farmers’ welfare. The Minister emphasized that the Farmers’ Producers’ Organizations can help the farmers to realize the price of their produce. He also urged the farmers and youths to come forward for starting the food processing units.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR lauded the role played by Punjab and Haryana to make the country self-sufficient in food grain production. Dr. Singh emphasized that Punjab has to diversify and bring atleast 1 million ha area of Paddy into maize, cotton, vegetables and fruits. He urged the rural youth for coming forward in the field of entrepreneurship for self-employment and income generation.

Dr. Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, Punjab emphasized that the entrepreneurship development in agriculture will pave the path of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. He also regarded the skill development and ARYA as the major schemes of Government of India which can make the rural youth as entrepreneurs. Dr. Singh highlighted the FPOs’ scope and enumerated some case studies of successful entrepreneurs.

Shri G.S. Tomar, National Convener, Agrivision highlighted the vision and mission of Agrivision for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

About 500 participants including Progressive Farmers, Entrepreneurs, Scientists of ICAR, State Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh virtually participated in the Webinar.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Ludhiana, Punjab)