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Finance, Funding, Investments, Microfinance, Schemes - Banks, Schemes - Govt

The panel discussion on Agri-Fintech, Carbon Financing & Blockchain: The future of Sustainable Farming Investment was moderated by Vidya Soundarajan, CEO, IORA Ecological Trust and Founder and CEO Eyekyam Risk Resolutions. The panellists were Jaideep Pawar, Founder and CEO, GRAMePay; Karthikeyan B, Executive Director, Human Ventures; Gaurav Sonwanshi, Co-Founder and CEO, Emertech Innovation

On being asked by Soundarajan what role does GRAMePay play, Pawar mentioned that he spent close to about 25 years granting financial services to women. He said, “I had the experience of working in rural part of the country because when we were doing enrollments in rural part of the country for UIDAI, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, we realised one thing that there is potential but it is not there. Lack of awareness and financial literacy is the reason why people are not able to upgrade their jobs. And this is where we tried to create a solution for rural India.”

Pawar said, “We cater to financing small and marginal farmers. Close to 15 crore land holdings are there in the country. Out of which small and marginal farmers are close to 12.6 crore. And 8.8 crore land holdings out of this are not having access to formal credit. So, I think there is a need to someone bridge the gap between the small and marginal farmer and the formal credit.”

He said, “Banks have money and are mandated to provide money but they also have their own set of challenges. The banks have been far from agriculture for too long. Banks have limited understanding of the improvements in agriculture. Banks are very well aware of what was lent in the past in agricultural projects and have a better understanding of what has succeeded and failed. Hence, banks shy away from saying yes rather than no while lending out money for the agri sector.”

Pawar mentioned, “Agri-tech providers have brilliant solutions, but are their takers at the farmer’s end. We are trying to take agri-techs, banks, governments, government schemes, foundations etc together.

Gaurav Somwanshi talked about trying to digitise the supply chain primarily using the blockchain technology. He said, “While digitizing the supply chain, we came across many challenges. Many bubbles burst, but many insights were learned. Digitalisation is necessary, but you need to make the solutions quick, adaptable, customisable and affordable.

He added, “You need to push blockchain and AI just for the sake of it, but finding out those key points where it’s going to unlock value is a must. The journey is primarily led by innovations and the insights that come directly from the farmers and markets themselves.”

Karthikeyan in his talk mentioned, “There is a need for every bank and financial institution to actually provide funds. I don’t think they have a reason to say no to it, but the problem has been that they have not been able to connect to things that can improve farmers’ income. On the other hand, farmers cannot connect to technologies because of their risk-taking ability.”

The panel discussion on Agri-Fintech, Carbon Financing

Agbiologicals, Agro Universities, AgroPolicy

This will empower cooperatives with a new generation of professionals in the field of fertiliser cooperative management and marketing

IFFCO welcomes the announcement of the Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha and its subsequent approval by the lower house. While announcing the bill, Minister of Cooperation and Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah said that after 75 years of independence, the country is getting its first cooperative university. He said that this bill will strengthen the rural economy, develop the ecosystem of self-employment and small entrepreneurship, increase social inclusion and increase opportunities to set new standards in innovation and research. He said that, in a way, the whole country will get a new cooperative leadership inspired by the spirit of cooperation and equipped with modern education.

Dr Udai Shanker Awasthi, Managing Director, IFFCO, stated, “I appreciate the Tribhuvan Cooperative University Bill 2025, a historic step for the pioneering development of cooperatives. The establishment of this university will bring a new revolution to the cooperative sector. I welcome this commendable step of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home and Cooperative Minister Amit Shah. This is a very big step for Indian agriculture, farmers and rural development. This will further strengthen our villages.”

He said the establishment of sector-specific schools across the country will help fertiliser cooperatives, especially IFFCO. This will empower cooperatives with a new generation of professionals in the field of fertiliser cooperative management and marketing. Short-term courses for existing cooperative employees are a game-changer and a step which was never done at this scale. This university will also train the existing employees and cooperators, making them efficient and a great asset to the fraternity. 

While expressing his appreciation for this step, Dileep Sanghani, Chairman, IFFCO, said this step will ensure that seeds for the next generation of cooperative leadership will be nurtured and cared for under a system run by the cooperatives for the cooperatives. He expressed his gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose guidance Shri Amit Shah, the first Union Minister of Cooperation, is working tirelessly with the motto of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi. ’ He said this is a historic step which will ensure the development of the cooperative sector for years to come. 

This will empower cooperatives with a new

Agribusiness, Agrotech, India, Interaction

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a transformative platform where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators converge to shape the future of agritech and sustainable agriculture.

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025, a premier conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of agriculture and technology, kicked off in Navi Mumbai, today. The two-day event brings together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and policymakers to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in agritech.  The inaugural event was graced by dignitaries Dr Anil Kakodkar, Ex Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Atomic Energy, Dr T R Kesavan, Group President TAFE and Dr C D Mayee, Former Chairperson, ASRB, ICAR & Chairperson, Conference Committee.

The conference is organised by AgroSpectrum, a leading B2B publication catering to agriculture and allied sectors, along with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. The event is supported by Agrovision Foundation, BIARC, MIDC, MAIDC, TAFE, and other key industry stakeholders. With a focus on sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies, the conference will address the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in the 21st century.

Ravindra Boratkar, MD, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications, Publisher & Managing Editor of AgroSpectrum in his welcome speech said, “Agriculture is going through  technological transformation and all the stake holders agriculture sector including policy makers, entrepreneurs and progressive farmers expressed the need of a platform where they can deliberate and focus more on the challenges and opportunities that lies in this transformation particularly the advanced technologies such AI, IoT, robotics, Biotech and gene editing technology.”

Boratkar also informed the audience about the key highlights of the event. AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a transformative platform where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators converge to shape the future of Agritech and sustainable agriculture. At AgroSpectrum Technovate 25 is an effort to bring together all the stake holders to deliberate on latest technologies in agriculture, future trends and opportunities and how agri industry can disseminate the same to the end users.

Dr T R Kesavan said, “There are lot of good verticals in agriculture but farmer needs something horizontal cutting across the verticals. We want to concentrate on farm-to-farm head. The six important elements of agriculture- Seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, water and limited use of energy. If we can succeed in reducing the inputs in any of these areas it will help the farmers majorly. One of the areas where we need to focus is agriculture as a service need to catch on in a much bigger way.

Kesavan also added that there is huge need to set up agricultural centre of excellence. We are working with Government of India Agriculture Ministry for setting up five agricultural centres of excellences.

Dr C D Mayee informed the audience about the contribution of Dr Anil Kakodkar to the growth agriculture sector. He said that there is a wide difference between cities and villages. In order to bridge this gap Dr Kakodkar has introduced the concept of CILAGE- City in village which aims to improve the agriculture in villages. Kakodkar has started CILAGE project in Gadchiroli district for rural development.

On the inaugural day of the conference, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Ex Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Atomic Energy, started his ‘Vision Talk’ by mentioning that technology is changing at a very fast pace. Building bridges between technology and agriculture is important. Mentioning climate change and soil degradation, he urged to focus on capacity building at the grassroots level to make farmers understand what the technology is meant for. He mentioned improving the agri economy, however, the growth remains a question mark.

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a

Agrotech, Digital Technologies, Drones, E-commerce, IT

The panel discussion on future ready farming recommended roadmaps for new age agriculture by leveraging AI & Big Data. The panelists included Dr Amey Pangarkar, Marketing and Gen AI Consultant, Aconsultancy; Ashish Sonkusare, CEO & Founder, eVerse.AI; Dhanashree Madhani, Founder & CEO, Salaam Kisan; Sanjay Borkar, CEO, CoFounder, FarmERP

Speaking on leveraging artificial intelligent for sustainable farming, Ashish Sonkusare, CEO & Founder, eVerse.AI highlighted that despite India being the largest producer of milk, income of dairy farmers is the lowest. He also mentioned about ground-breaking project, the Maharashtra Methane Program aiming to lower methane emissions from 20 million cattle population of Maharashtra. The program’s goal is to reduce methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure by 30 per cent through feed additives application, strategically as a part of the intervention. Through Greencow.earth, the Government has partnered with eVerse.AI to support this endeavor and track and monitor the program’s advancement. This creative strategy not only reduces the effects of climate change but also gives farmers the chance to increase their revenue by selling carbon credits, encouraging sustainable farming methods and raising living standards. Infact, eVerse.AI has pioneered technological interventions in livestock segment through the launch of CowGPT—the first generative AI application in the world. In order to develop and train their own foundation model, the organization has also worked with academic institutions and research centers in the United States and India. Through the ConnectedCow app and web platform, as well as a straightforward WhatsApp chat interface, the product can be utilized in a variety of ways.

Speaking at Technovate 2025, Dhanashree Madhani, Founder & CEO, Salaam Kisan highlighted the bottlenecks towards achieving sustainability in terms of low yield, disruption of market linkages etc. She emphasized on the fact that AI is intended towards helping smallholders. Infact, demonitisaton of data driven agri is the need of the hour, besides the generational and traditional knowledge of farmers. For instance, Neem spraying on cotton can be done using drones, as a part of new age technologies in agriculture. Alongside the cutting edge, Salaam Kisan’s precision farming recommendations optimize farmer productivity while reducing expenses. For precision planting, chemical application, and drone-based remote sensing, the technical solutions offer both historical and real-time data analysis.

Speaking on the dynamic technology landscape in agriculture sector, Sanjay Borkar, CEO, CoFounder, FarmERP stated, that growth in agribusiness comes with major challenges in market expansion, operations, finance, and technology. Businesses must tackle issues like tough competition, supply chain disruptions, climate change, and rising production costs. Additionally, agribusinesses need to manage regulatory compliance, changing consumer demands, and cybersecurity risks while staying ahead of competitors. Sanjay clearly highlighted on how digital transformation has emerged as essential in the rapidly shifting surroundings of today. By improving existing assets and operational efficiency, artificial intelligence is leading the way in the revolution of digital agriculture. Utilization of technology, therefore reduces inefficiencies, expedites procedures, and offers real-time insights—all without raising the expenditure. It assists in streamlining all facets of your organization, from sales to farm operations, allowing it to grow more quickly and intelligently without having to make ten times as much investment in infrastructure or resources.
Discussing further, Sanjay also mentioned how data accuracy is the basis of building right information. Unpredictable weather, changing markets, and increased compliance requirements are all challenges for agribusinesses. Inefficiencies and missed opportunities result from manual procedures and disjointed data. It is here that AI comes into picture

The panel discussion on future ready farming

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

Panel discussion on Govt policies & Farmers’ Aspiration to Shape Agritech Landscape

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025, a premier conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of agriculture and technology, kicked off in Navi Mumbai, today. The two-day event brings together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and policymakers to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in agritech. With a focus on sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies, the conference will address the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in the 21st century.

A panel discussion on ‘Government policies & Farmers’ Aspirations to Shape Agritech Landscape’ on the inaugural day of AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 was moderated by Dr Sudhir Kumar Goel, Former Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Marketing, Government of Maharashtra. The panellists included Dr S Ganesan, Vice President-Agriculture Policies and Outreach, UPL AG; Rajvir Rathi, Director-Agricultural Affairs & Policy, IM-IBSL Lead-Traits Licensing Business, Bayer CropScience.

Dr Goel started by asking whether government policies are conducive in the agri-tech landscape. While answering about the aspirations of the government, Rathi mentioned three major trends: aggregation and collectivisation, mechanisation and digitalisation. Innovation and technology are the need of the hour for the agri-sector. Whether seeds, fertilisers, irrigation techniques, crop health management, nutrition management, storage, post-harvest, etc, need to be linked to the market demand. We should always remember that a farmer is producing for himself, for the nation and then for exports. A farmer should be provided with real-time data about the prices so that the products can be sold easily.

According to him, the other important thing is to know what is essentially native when a farmer sows seed in the ground till the crop is harvested. Giving information about rainfall and other weather parameters can help in the better management of crops.

Dr Ganesan mentioned that there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of current agricultural practices. He opined that though the current output of Indian agriculture is double that of the US, still India is lagging. The problem lies that the pride of Indian agriculture is missing, and we are shedding tears on farmers earning less, but no one is talking about market access. This is where the need for better access is needed.

He cited examples of how Brazil has been the most successful country in the global export of agricultural products and has access to over 200 countries in the world. He talked about addressing the aspirations and reality in the agri sector. Farmers are the ones who know more than policy makers and agricultural institutions in India, as he mentioned.

All the panellists agreed upon the need for new tech innovations where farmers get the right information. How fast real-time data can be shared with farmers can bring in much-needed change in the agri-sector. The collaboration will help meet the aspirations of the farmers.

Panel discussion on Govt policies & Farmers’

Agribiotechnology, Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Agrotech, Allied Industry, Collaborations, Digital Technologies, Drones, E-commerce, Finance, Funding, Goat farming, Interaction, Investments, IT, Opinions, R&D, Start ups, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025, a premier conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of agriculture and technology, kicked off in Navi Mumbai, today. The two-day event brings together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and policymakers to discuss and showcase the latest advancements in agritech. With a focus on sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies, the conference will address the challenges and opportunities facing the agricultural sector in the 21st century

On the inaugural day of the conference, Dr Anil Kakodkar, Ex Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Atomic Energy, started his ‘Vision Talk’ by mentioning that technology is changing at a very fast pace. Building bridges between technology and agriculture is important. Mentioning climate change and soil degradation, he urged to focus on capacity building at the grassroots level to make farmers understand what the technology is meant for. He mentioned improving the agri economy, however, the growth remains a question mark.

The former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission talked about the concept of Cillage, which can be better mentioned as the Best of a City in a Village. A digitally-enabled modern village can be the future of India’s growth in the agri sector. Knowledge-based ecosystems for integrated education, research technology development and deployment, as well as livelihood and capacity building in rural areas, can be a game changer in the long run. Kakodkar opined that agriculture and horticulture products are among the top sectors, along with electricity, coal, steel, etc.

Citing an example about the Gini Index, which is higher in rural areas, Dr Kakodkar raised concerns about its prevalence in urban areas. Also referred to as the Gini coefficient, it provides insights into inequality within a population. A higher Gini index indicates greater inequality, with high-income individuals receiving much larger percentages of the population’s total income. He cited examples of following old data in various reforms, including the agri sector and following these data leads to challenges and validity of the numbers.

According to him, the climate crisis, depleting resources and environmental crisis are taking their toll on the overall growth of the country. He emphasised creating social structure. Economy-led development, tech-led development, and knowledge-led development are driven by research-intensive value creation that could promote welfare through democratisation and decentralisation.

Every village needs to become a net exporter rather than an importer. This will have a good impact on the economy. He emphasised quality education to eliminate disparities that need much larger attention. Dr Kakodkar touched upon migration, which is a matter of worry. City-centric growth is leading to disparities. He said, “If we can talk about working from home, then why not work from villages?”

“India’s economic growth is due to its massive youth,” he observed. In the past, development was led by the economy, then we had tech-led development, value addition through new technology. But today, we should be talking about knowledge-led development.

Research-intensive value creation could promote human welfare. Lastly, he urged to promote a conducive innovation eco-system. Value addition, leveraging local strengths with a global outlook, is the key.

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025, a premier conference dedicated

Agribusiness, Interaction

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a transformative platform where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators converge to shape the future of agritech and sustainable agriculture.

The AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 conference, a premier event focused on agricultural technology and innovation, will be held on March 27-28, 2025, at the CIDCO Convention Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

The Hon. Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra, Manikrao Kokate, will inaugurate the two-day event, with Minister of State for Agriculture, Ashish Jaiswal, as the Guest of Honour. The event will feature a Vision Talk by renowned scientist Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairperson of the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission and former Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy. Dr C D Mayee, Former Chairperson, Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board, Atul Shirodkar, President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council, and Ravindra Boratkar, MD, MM Active and Publisher & Managing Editor, AgroSpectrum will also grace the occasion.

Eminent Guests & Key Speakers

The conference will also be graced by:

Dr. P. Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary (Industries), Government of Maharashtra

Dr. C. D. Mayee, Former Chairperson, ASRB, ICAR & Chairperson, Conference Committee

Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC, Govt. of India

Dr. T. R. Kesavan, Group President, TAFE

Prakash Jayaram, Partner, Technology Consulting, EY

Rajendra Barwale, Chairman, Mahyco

Komal Shah Bhukhanwala, Director – R&D and IP, SML Limited

Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, CMD, Aries Agro Ltd & President, IMMA

Atul Shirodkar, President, Maharashtra Economic Development Council

Ravindra Boratkar, MD, MM Activ & Publisher & Managing Editor, AgroSpectrum

Key Highlights of the Conference

  • 50+ Industry Experts & Policymakers – Insights from top leaders in agritech and policy
  • CEO Conclave – Discussions on Building Sustainable AgriTech Ecosystems
  • Deep-Dive Sessions – AI, IoT, Agri-Fintech, Carbon Financing, Smart Farming, Agri-Supply Chains
  • Live Case Studies & Innovations – Biotechnology, Climate-Smart Farming, Data-Driven Agriculture

Conference Agenda – Key Topics

  • Government Policies & AgriTech Landscape – Insights from policymakers & industry leaders
  • Scaling Agri-Tech Startups – Investment strategies & growth opportunities
  • Smart Farming & AI in Agriculture – IoT, Drones, and Robotics transforming farm productivity
  • Agri-Fintech & Carbon Financing – Unlocking investments for sustainable agriculture
  • Optimizing Agri-Supply Chains – Strengthening post-harvest logistics & market linkages
  • Innovations in Plant Nutrition & Protection – Advancements in biotechnology for higher yields

Along with the conference Agrithon 2025 has also been organised, where participant will present ground breaking solutions in real world agriculture issues. Participants will pitch their ideas to distinguished panel of experts. The evaluation will focus on creativity, feasibility and impact. 

Event Organizers & Partners

The conference is organized by AgroSpectrum, a leading B2B publication catering to agriculture and allied sectors, along with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. The event is supported by Agrovision Foundation, BIARC, MIDC, MAIDC, TAFE, and other key industry stakeholders.

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a transformative platform where industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators converge to shape the future of agritech and sustainable agriculture.

For media inquiries and further details:

Email: secretariat@agrospectrumindia.com

Contact: Kusum (+91-99580 36410), Dipak (+91-99232 02884)

AgroSpectrum Technovate 2025 aims to be a

Acquaculture, Collaborations

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held Bilateral Meeting with Vice Minister Brigit Gijsbers of The Netherlands on Further Deepening Maritime Cooperation between the two countries

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal attended the signing ceremony of Letter of Intent (LOI) between India and Singapore on maritime digitalisation (Digital Corridor Collaboration) and Decarbonisation (Green Shipping) here today. Shri Sonowal was joined by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainability and the Enviornment and Ministry of Transport, Singapore. The LOI was inked by Shri R Lakshmanan, Joint Secretary, MoPSW, and Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC).

India is a leading player in information technology with the potential to become a major producer and exporter of green marine fuels.

Singapore, as a key transshipment and bunkering hub, also supports a dynamic research and innovation ecosystem. The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The signing of this landmark LOI marks the bilateral

collaboration as a significant step towards modernising maritime operations and advancing green shipping efforts. The Singapore-India

Green and Digital Shipping Corridor will drive innovation, accelerate the adoption of low-emission technologies, and strengthen digital integration in the sector, allowing us to move India towards realising the vision of PM Shri Narendra Modiji’s ‘Viksit Bharat’. With India’s strength in Information Technology and green fuel production, along with Singapore’s role as a global maritime hub, this partnership will set new benchmarks in sustainability and efficiency in the maritime sector. We look forward to work closely to build a resilient, future ready maritime ecosystem that benefits both nations and the global maritime industry.”

Seeking the Global Dutch Expertise for revamping India’s waterways rivers like Barak and Brahmaputra, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “With their rich experience and global expertise in dredging, river engineering, we can enable our diverse and rich riverine system with effective dredging techniques, modern inland vessel technology & water management. The Netherlands’ expertise in shallow-draft push barges, modular inland vessels, & LNG-powered river transport presents a valuable opportunity for India. We are keen to adapt these technologies to enhance cargo movement in low-draft rivers like the Brahmaputra & Barak, making inland waterways more efficient, sustainable, & economically viable. We see great potential for Dutch collaboration in India’s major projects like the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) and Brahmaputra River dredging. This will help us realise the vision of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji to empower the Northeast as the New Engine of Growth for an Atmanirbhar Bharat charting its course on becoming a Viksit country.”

The Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also inaugurated the ‘India Pavilion’ along with Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of Singapore.

Shri Sonowal also inaugurated the IRClass Pavilion at the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW). Speaking at the India Business Roundtable, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India is rapidly emerging as a global maritime hub, driven by sustainability, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships. Under the visionary leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are transforming ports into clean energy-driven investment hubs, fostering shipbuilding excellence, and decarbonising shipping. With bold reforms, resilient supply chains, and global collaborations like the India-Singapore Green and Digital Shipping Corridor, we invite the world to partner with us in shaping a sustainable and future-ready maritime economy.”

During the day, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal also visited Singapore Cruise Centre to understand the infrastructure and facilities that has helped Singapore to become a thriving cruise tourism destination. India aims to replicate such terminals in key locations like Goa, Mumbai and Chennai to provide a fillip to the cruise tourism. Sonowal also met with key officials of Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA) as well as top industry captains from maritime sector of the Netherlands.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held Bilateral Meeting

Acquaculture, R&D

It was widely represented by scientific experts, researchers and industry personnel. Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, outlined the Institute’s work towards zero-waste fish processing

An Industry Meet, organized by ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Cochin, took place in Mumbai, focusing on “Circular Bioeconomy: Extracting Value from Fish Waste.”

The event was widely represented by scientific experts, researchers, and industry personnel. Dr. George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, outlined the Institute’s efforts toward zero-waste fish processing.

Dr. Asha K. K., Principal Scientist and Scientist in Charge, MRC, ICAR-CIFT, welcomed the audience.

Dr. Geethalekshmi V., Principal Scientist, Fisheries Extension Information and Statistics Division, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, and Nodal Officer, Swachhata Action Plan, Government of India, highlighted the agenda of the programme in her opening remarks.

In his presidential address, Dr. George Ninan emphasized the potential of ICAR-CIFT technologies in addressing waste management challenges in the fisheries harvest and post-harvest sector.

The chief guest, Miguel Jose Rodrigues, Managing Director of M/s Joecons Marine Pvt. Ltd, Goa, elaborated on the requirements of the fisheries sector and the need for scientific interventions in waste management. He stressed the importance of hygiene and sanitation onboard to ensure food safety.

Dr. V. Venkatesan, Principal Scientist, MRC of ICAR-CMFRI, and Shri Subray Pawar, Assistant Director, Mumbai Regional Division of MPEDA, offered felicitations during the programme. Dr. Gaurav shared his success story in the agri-industry, while Dr. Venkatesan highlighted the importance of Minimum Legal Size (MLS) of fishing gear to reduce fish bycatch and discards.

Dr. L. N. Murthy, Principal Scientist, discussed the collaboration between fish processing industries and ICAR-CIFT and presented a Strategic Policy Framework and Industrial Approaches for Valorizing Fish Waste.

Key industry partners contributing to the deliberations included: Dr. Gaurav Singh, Director, Wealthy Crop Science Pvt Ltd Shri Abhishek Kumar Singh, Athos Collagen, Surat Sri Amey Naik, Longshore Technologies, Raigad, Shri Kamlesh Parab, Omega Fish Meal and Oil Pvt. Ltd., Ratnagiri

These industry leaders have built their businesses around utilizing fishery post-harvest discards.

During the programme, products and technologies developed by MRC, ICAR-CIFT, were released, including: Ulvan gelatin scaffolds for biomedical applications Sooka soda, a traditional delicacy made from prawn Biodegradable crab traps (BIOD-TRAP) to reduce marine plastic waste Recycled products from marine waste

A panel discussion featured 25 industry representatives from the fish processing sector in the Mumbai region, who engaged with experts to explore practical fish waste management strategies.

It was widely represented by scientific experts,

Agribusiness, Collaborations, Company News

Corteva Agriscience on Tuesday said it has launched the Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy in partnership with the International Finance Corporation and the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation International Association to support 5,00,000 rural entrepreneurs in serving 100 million farmers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America

The initiative aims to address critical challenges in smallholder farming, including limited access to quality agricultural inputs, technology, and modern farming knowledge. Global Agri-Entrepreneurship Academy (GAEA) will provide targeted training and mentoring to rural entrepreneurs to bridge service delivery gaps in agriculture. Sustainable Agriculture Foundation International Association (SAFIA) Executive Director Simon Winter said the organisation has already activated 23,000 rural entrepreneurs to create village-level jobs and improve farmers’ living standards. “Now we want to share our experience of guiding rural youth and women to become successful entrepreneurs at a much greater scale,” Winter noted.

The programme has identified initial partners in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Tanzania, and Cote d’Ivoire.

Founding members signed a memorandum of understanding to standardise their approach to agri-entrepreneurship development. Anuja Kadian from Corteva Agriscience highlighted the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with management skills. “Rural entrepreneurs succeed when they have strong management skills, financial discipline, and access to capital,” she said. Registered as a non-profit foundation in Switzerland, GAEA is backed by the Government of Japan and seeks to strengthen agricultural value chains by supporting rural entrepreneurs. The initiative builds on SAFIA’s 40-year history of supporting smallholder agriculture, with the goal of driving productivity and resilience in rural economies.

Corteva Agriscience on Tuesday said it has

Agribusiness, India, Supply Chain, Trade

Mevedir sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in South Sikkim, including Tinkitam and Tarku regions.

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has successfully exported the first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. This significant achievement underscores India’s growing prominence in the global organic agricultural market and highlights the increasing international demand for premium products from the Northeastern region.

Dalle Chilly, also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red color, and high nutritional value. Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium, its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a sought-after spice for both culinary and medicinal applications.

Through its extensive procurement network, Mevedir sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh Dalle Chilly from farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in South Sikkim, including Tinkitam and Tarku regions. This consignment ensured farmers received a premium price of Rs 250-300 per kg, compared to the usual Rs 180-200 per kg, reaffirming the economic benefits of GI tagging and international trade.

The processing of the consignment was undertaken at an APEDA-funded Integrated Pack House, developed by the Department of Horticulture, Sikkim. Of the total quantity, 9,000 kg was dehydrated, while 6,000 kg was preserved for further processing and export. The drying process yielded a 12.5% recovery rate, with 1,600 kg of fresh chillies processed into 200 kg of dried chillies for export.

For this landmark export transaction, Mevedir, a leading agri-export enterprise committed to promoting organic produce from Sikkim, directly supplied the first shipment to the Solomon Islands. This marks a departure from previous indirect export routes and highlights the growing trust in India’s organic supply chain. The buyer from the Solomon Islands was introduced to the product through its international debut in Singapore in 2023 and subsequently sought direct sourcing from Mevedir.

The export of Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands is expected to enhance Sikkim’s prominence on the global spice map, opening new avenues for international trade. With its ideal climate and fertile soil, Sikkim has the potential to emerge as a key player in the global spice industry. This successful transaction serves as a testament to the increasing global recognition of India’s organic agricultural products and its commitment to expanding agri-exports worldwide.

In 2020, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, granted the GI tag to Dalle Chilly, a unique and highly pungent variety grown in Sikkim. The Northeastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) facilitated the GI registration, strengthening the identity and marketability of this specialty product.

Mevedir sourced approximately 15,000 kg of fresh

Agro Universities, India, R&D, Sustainable Energy

The agreement grants non-exclusive rights to the firm for implementing this sustainable energy solution across India.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with a Sunam-based firm (District Sangrur) for the commercialization of PAU Fixed Dome Type Family-Size Biogas Plant technology, with a capacity ranging from 1m³/day to 25m³/day. The agreement grants non-exclusive rights to the firm for implementing this sustainable energy solution across India.

The MoA was signed by Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, and Manjeet Singh, representing their respective organizations. Dr. Dhatt congratulated Dr. Sarbjit Singh Sooch for successfully commercialising this cost-effective and eco-friendly biogas technology.

Explaining the innovation, Dr. Sooch stated that the PAU Fixed Dome Type Biogas Plant is a brick masonry structure, making it durable, easy to construct, and suitable for all regions of the country. Unlike conventional floating drum biogas plants, this model is 60-70 per cent more cost-effective and requires significantly lower maintenance. Additionally, the digested slurry from the plant serves as a high-quality organic manure, enriching soil fertility.

Dr Sooch further shared that to date, over 60,000 such biogas plants have been installed in Punjab, validating its effectiveness. PAU’s excellence in promoting sustainable energy solutions was recognized with the “Best Centre Award-2024” under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Energy in Agriculture and Agro-based Industries.

Dr. Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director, Technology Marketing & IPR Cell, PAU, shared that PAU has signed 14 MoAs for the commercialization of this innovative technology. He emphasized PAU’s dedication to developing and disseminating energy-efficient solutions, ensuring that scientific advancements reach farmers, entrepreneurs, and industries to promote sustainable agriculture and renewable energy adoption.

The agreement grants non-exclusive rights to the

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, India

Under this initiative, 30 forest producer companies are being established, forming a robust network of 300 women leaders.

The Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB) has launched the ‘Green Shakti Producer Company Business Enterprise Leadership Cohort.’

This joint initiative is dedicated to empowering 30 women-led, forest-based enterprises across six districts of Odisha: Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Koraput, and Malkangiri. Under this initiative, 30 forest producer companies are being established, forming a robust network of 300 women leaders. This network will continue expanding through structured programme sprints until August 2025.

As part of the joint initiative, a three-day intensive planning and orientation workshop was held recently at the Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, gathering over 170 board members to strategise on developing a responsible forest economy. Designed around an innovative pedagogical approach, the leadership programme offered comprehensive training in financial literacy, leadership, business management, and sustainable resource utilisation.

The inaugural capacity-building sessions included discussions with Boards of Directors and Promoters, focusing on equitable benefit distribution models and inclusive strategies for integrating shareholders. Consequently, each producer company aims to onboard more than 1,000 primary producers, directly benefiting over 30,000+ women across the targeted districts.

Highlighting the transformative potential of the said initiative, Smt. Shalini Pandit, IAS, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti, stated, “The planning sessions within these workshops are tailored to empower women leaders with strategic business acumen, laying a foundation for collective development and societal progress in these regions.”

The orientation sessions emphasised accountability, transparency, and democratic decision-making within forest producer companies to address power imbalances prevalent in rural Odisha. Board members participated in training on institutional finance and industry compliance, enabling them to foster robust business ecosystems within their respective producer company clusters.

Additionally, the workshop highlighted aggregation strategies aimed at large-scale collective sales of seasonal forest products, particularly Sal seeds. Discussions included best practices in the collection, storage, and bulk trading of these products, maximizing returns for primary collectors and ensuring long-term sustainability.

In her keynote address, Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Director-cum-CEO, Department of Mission Shakti, and Chief Guest, emphasised, “This three-day training has convened highly motivated women entrepreneurs, many of whom have travelled long distances to participate. Under this initiative, they will engage with Sal seeds, a product in high demand domestically and internationally for its fats and oils. The workshop aims to equip producer companies with the essential knowledge to significantly enhance profitability, potentially elevating each woman leader to the status of a Crorepati Didi.”

Highlighting the considerable potential of the Leadership Cohort, Professor. Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director of the Bharti Institute of Public Policy at ISB, stated, “India’s forests offer immense opportunities. Over the next few months, we anticipate operations in Odisha to scale significantly, marking a crucial step towards building a prosperous forest economy that generates positive outcomes for people, profit, and the planet.”

Under this initiative, 30 forest producer companies

Acquaculture, Agro Universities, India, Live Stock, R&D

The research integrates traditional ecological knowledge from local villagers to better understand fish diversity, fish species assessment, indigenous fishing techniques & community-based fishing practices.

Nagaland University Researchers are collaborating with the local community to study and conserve indigenous Fish Species in Dikhu River, Nagaland. This research integrates traditional ecological knowledge from local villagers to better understand fish diversity, fish species assessment, indigenous fishing techniques, and community-based fishing practices, an approach that is uncommon in scientific studies in the region.

The Dikhu River is one of the most important tributaries of the Brahmaputra and is home to many freshwater species crucial for local biodiversity and the economy.

The study underscored an urgent need for focused conservation efforts in the river systems of Nagaland. These systems support a unique and rich biodiversity but are threatened by increasing human encroachment and unsustainable practices. It showed that the Dikhu River is not only vital for local communities but also plays an important role in global conservation efforts.

The research team from the Zoology Department, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus) and ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, aimed to explore and document the ichthyofaunal diversity of the Dikhu River in Nagaland. They focused on the lack of comprehensive data on fish species in the river and the pressing threats these species face due to anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, overfishing, and destructive fishing techniques.

The study, funded by ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow recorded 28 fish species across 6 orders, 13 families, and 3 subfamilies, with Cypriniformes being the most dominant order (67.9 per cent).

The Research was led by Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus) and Ms. Metevinu Kechu, Research Scholar, Nagaland University.

Elaborating on the need for such research, Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Nagaland University (Lumami Campus), said, “The study is significant because the Dikhu River and its fish species have received limited attention in scientific literature. Thus, this study makes a valuable contribution to the body of knowledge on the freshwater ecosystems of Northeastern India. The findings are vital for conservation strategies aimed at preserving freshwater biodiversity in Northeastern India, a biodiversity hotspot. Documenting threatened fish species and their population trends will support targeted conservation efforts.”

Dr. Pranay Punj Pankaj added, “We need collaborative efforts involving local communities, conservationists and Government authorities to ensure the sustainability of river ecosystems. There is also a need for stricter regulations on destructive fishing methods, habitat protection and the promotion of traditional, sustainable fishing techniques as part of an integrated conservation strategy.”

The research integrates traditional ecological knowledge from