Opening remarks- Dr. M.B.Chetti Honble Vice Chancellor
National Webinar on “Agri-preneurship Opportunities and Support System” was organized at College of Agriculture, Vijayapur on 16th October 2020. The webinar aim was to bring awareness on opportunities and support system from government and other institutes for agripreneurship among the students and faculty.
Dr. S. B. Kalaghatagi, Dean (Agri) & Nodal officer, extended a warm welcome to Dr. M. B. Chetti, H’ble Vice Chancellor & Team Leader, Dr. P. U. Krishnaraj, Principal Investigator, Dr. K. V. Ashalatha, Associate Coordinator, Resource Persons viz., Dr. Saravanan Raj, Dr. Partha Pratim Sahu and Mr. Manjunath R., and all the participants of the webinar. He gave the brief overview of the programme and suggested students, especially final years, to make use of this webinar. Dr. K. V. Ashalata, Associate Coordinator, gave a brief introductory note and highlighted the important activities taken up under IDP to build ambient environment for entre-preneurial skill development among the students.
Dr. M. B. Chetti, Hon’ble, Vice Chancellor & Team leader, in his opening remarks, highlighted on the various business opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors. He elaborated the scope of agri-startups and how production, branding, packaging, supply chain and marketing links play an important role in establishing a successful venture. He mentioned about ongoing efforts under RKVY-RAFTAR project to attract the youth towards startups and how the support from Govt helps to establish business.
Dr. Saravanan Raj, Director, Centre for Agripreneurship Development (MANAGE), Hyderabad, a Resource Person, gave a comprehensive overview on Agri-preneurship and various support facilities available from both Govt and allied institutes. He elaborated on enabling policy and regulatory support for contract farming, one nation-one market and redefined the micro, small and medium enterprises. He made a brief mention of, all the central and state government schemes, funding support for development of infrastructure in field of agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries etc in his presentation. While highlighting vocal for local initiative he opined that there is a need of support to micro food enterprise to formalize micro enterprises in rural areas. He entitled the role of RKVY-RAFTAR (RABIs) schemes and its support system for startups in the India. He briefed on international linkages in agri-preneurship and how these are boosting opportunities not only in domestic market but at international market also.
Dr. Partha Pratim Sahu, Associate Professor (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, gave brief note on various opportunities and challenges in agri-preneurship. Throughout his talk, he highlighted the scope and need of exploring agri-preneurship opportunities in rural areas and make rural people more sustainable. He opined that all Indian farmers have entrepreneurial skills but existing skills need to be leveraged by up-skilling, re-skilling and some skill refresher programme. He emphasized on platformization, and highlighted the need to provide variety of services on one platform.
An alumnus of UAS Dharwad, Mr. Manjunath R., shared his journey of establishing own enterprise “Future Biotech Ltd.” He briefly described the reasons for choosing agri-preneurship leaving the lucrative job of private company. While highlighting the qualities of successful entrepreneur, suggested students to have passion, vision, perseverance, hard work, networking skill and be self motivated. Dr. P. U. Krishnaraj, Principal Investigator, in his concluding remarks, advised students to orient themselves towards entrepreneurship and learn skills rather than only betting on marks. He suggested students to get motivated by the successful entrepreneurs and learn from them. He told that under IDP, the students who have innovative ideas having business potential will have scope to take their idea to prototype development with mentorship from recognized start-up establishments as well as internal mentors. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr. M. D. Patil, Nodal officer who moderated the event. The programme was organized online through Zoom platform and 150+ candidates participated in the event.