The 6th National Agribusiness Conclave, organized by KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM), brought together leading voices from academia, agribusiness, and policy to deliberate on the future of Indian agriculture. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Prof. (Dr.) Raju K.D., Pro-Vice Chancellor, KIIT-DU, and other dignitaries. Prof. Nishith Parida, Director, KSRM, in his welcome address, highlighted KIIT’s global standing and reiterated the role of innovation in strengthening agriculture as the backbone of the nation. The session also witnessed the presentation of AGRIWHIZ Quiz awards, recognizing young achievers in agricultural sciences.
Panel 1, themed “Innovating Agri-Inputs – Redefining Productivity, Precision, and Planetary Health”, focused on breakthroughs in seed technologies, precision farming, digital tools, and sustainable practices. Speakers including Mr. Sharad Khurana (Nuziveedu Seeds), Dr. Manoj K. Chahal (Takii Seeds), Mr. Pradeep Cheema (Anu Products), and Mr. Ajit Shankhdhar (President – Domestic Brand, Parijat Industries), emphasized innovations like nano urea, climate-smart seeds, and digitized land records. Discussions highlighted the importance of balancing productivity with sustainability, leveraging gene-editing, and adopting climate-smart farming practices.
Panel 2, themed “Transforming Agri-Outputs and Food Systems: From Farm to Market and Beyond”, examined the challenges of building transparent and sustainable value chains. Industry leaders such as Dr. Kishore Indukuri (SID’s Farm), Dr. Prithwi Singh (Khetika), Mr. Rangu Rao (Safe Harvest), and Dr. Dipti Sharma (Burger King India) shared perspectives on cold-chain management, traceability, farmer empowerment, and consumer trust. The panel stressed that ethical sourcing, fair farmer compensation, and robust supply chains are critical for ensuring food safety and meeting the demands of a growing population.
With rich deliberations and diverse perspectives, the conclave reaffirmed KIIT’s commitment to fostering innovation, empowering farmers, and shaping a sustainable future for Indian agribusiness.
