The inaugural address by Business Head- TimesofIndia.com, Prasad Sanyal illuminated the economic significance of agriculture, constituting 18% of India’s GDP and engaging 45% of the workforce.
Encapsulating the spirit of the summit he said, “Agritech can be a gamechanger and it is our endeavour to explore how tech can unleash a farming revolution in India.”The first session ‘Digitization & Innovation in Agriculture’ which consisted of distinguished panellists, Vasundhara Choudhary, Varun Khurana, Sharat Loganathan and Deepak Bhardwaj navigated the shift from traditional to technology-driven farming. Addressing economic viability, the discussion emphasised the need for subsidies to democratise access to technology, transcending challenges related to awareness and ingrained farming practices.
Expanding the narrative, the panel on ‘Empowering India’s Agrarian Potential for Local Advancement and Global Growth’ which included, Mariano Beheran, Priyam Arora, Dr. PK Chakrabarty and Dr. RS Sodhi talked about India’s transformation into a global agricultural competitor, boasting an annual trade of six billion US dollars. International collaborations, particularly with Argentina, emerged as a key theme, aiming to foster partnerships in sustainable agriculture practices on a global scale.
The panel talked about celebrating India’s tenfold increase in milk production over five decades. However, experts deliberated on modernisation challenges and the imperative of ensuring commercial viability and nutritional security.
The panel on ‘Sustainable Agriculture Technologies’ discussed the need for sustainability. Panel members Umang Maheshwari, Dr. PK Singh, and Dr. Rakesh Sharda converged their discussions on the marriage of politics and economics to drive eco-friendly practices.
Fifth panel speakers: Vijay Sardana, Dr. Shobhana Kumar Pattanayak, and Dr. SC Dubey, moderated by Bhupendra Chaubey
A subsequent panel on ‘Agritech Regulations: Balance Between Innovation and Control’ which consisted of Vijay Sardana, Dr. Shobhana Kumar Pattanayak, Dr. SC Dubey dissected the intricate relationship between agriculture, technology, and regulations. Panellists delved into the nuanced landscape of agricultural policies, emphasising the necessity of tailored regulations considering the diversity in crops and practices.
The panellists scrutinised regulations’ impact on innovations, such as genetically modified (GM) technology, emphasising the need for a balanced approach. Privacy concerns arising from the collection and monetization of farmers‘ data were also addressed, with a call for regulations to safeguard farmers’ privacy.
The final address was delivered by Mr. Rahul Dhanuka, Joint Managing Director, Dhanuka Group, encapsulated the spirit of the summit. He proclaimed his love for the name and his support for the farmers saying, “Till I am alive I will fight for the rights of farmers.” He went on to talk about the need for active legislation to stop the illicit trade of pesticides and chemicals, which cause major damage to the farming sector.
Dr. RG Agarwal, Chairman, Dhanuka Group delivers the closing address at Agri Tech Summit.
The Agri-Tech Summit 2023, provided a platform for active and insightful discussion on the need for amalgamation of tech and farming. Each panel carefully navigated through the challenges faced by the Indian farmers while also celebrating their achievements. The summit shed light on how the effective use of technology in farming can provide a platform for growth, sustainability and prosperity.