Introduction and welcome by Dr. P. U. Krishnaraj, PI, IDP, UAS, Dharwad
Workshop on “Start-up Opportunities in Hi-Tech Vegetable Production” was organized offline for students and staff of the University on 13, October 2020, at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad under World Bank funded Institutional Development Plan to help progressive farmers, youngsters and educated unemployed youth to take up this entrepreneurship as a profitable venture. Dr. P. U. Krishnaraj, Co-ordinator, IDP introduced the guest and advised to make use of this opportunity to young scientists and students. Dr. Paveen Bhat, CEO, I&B Seeds, Bangaluru, inaugurated the function and expressed that Hi-Tech production of horticulture crops adopting modern technology is need of the day to increase the productivity and quality of the produce and there are ample opportunities to take start up in Horticulture. He also advised that students can start-up with small scale and that will lead to remarkable progress by smart and hard work. In the technical session he also shared about the protected cultivation of vegetables.
Dr. M. B. Chetti, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, in his precedential remarks expressed that horticulture has attained pride status in the field of modern agriculture as horticulture crops contribute about 30% to GDP from merely 13% of total cultivable area and have a high potential for value addition and foreign exchange earnings. He also informed that University had established ‘Hi-Tech Horticulture Unit’ for training under start-ups in Horticulture in an area of 10 hectare.
Dr. A. A. Patil, Former Professor & Head, Hi-Tech, Horticulture Unit, UAS, Dharwad said that, Indian agriculture is in transitional phase due to liberalization in Indian economy, globalization of trade and privatization which leads to entry of corporate people in agriculture, He also addressed the opportunities in Hi-Tech Horticulture like of hybrid seed and seedling production, cultivation of high value flowers and vegetables, hardening of TC plants etc. Dr Jayatheerth. Kulkarni, Director, Kulkarni Farm Fresh Pvt. Ltd, Belagavi shared very practically about procedures for contract farming of vegetables and benefits to farmers. He also expressed that the successes of contract farming lies in consistency in supply, quantity and quality of the produce. CO-PI and Training Coordinator, Dr. K. V. Ashalatha gave vote of thanks and Dr. M. S. Biradar organized and Dr. D. N. Kambrekar Co-organized the workshop.