About the Konclave
The Agribusiness conclave provides a unique platform to bring together policy makers, researchers, industrial leaders/practitioners and students to discuss issues, challenges in Agribusiness sector in India with special reference to Agri Startups Ecosystem and prospects of Agri Inputs towards Food Security & Nutrition security in India. The conclave gives a golden opportunity to inquisitive minds to interact with and get inspired by the leaders
Theme-1
THEME-1
Agri Startups Ecosystem: Challenges, Drivers and Pillars
While farmers in India are struggling to produce more while keeping costs low and margins high, consumers are moving in the opposite direction i.e. searching for better-quality products at a lower cost. Striking the right balance between the two has been the weakest link in the agriculture value chain.
New age technology solutions by agri startups present a new opportunity in the entire agriculture value chain. Agri Start-ups are providing meaningful solutions to a number of challenges across the value chain in the form of product, service or application. We have observed decent growth of Agri start-ups in areas like supply chain/market linked model, farm data analytics, preharvest and postharvest intelligence, logistics, storage, distribution and the weather information.
Agri Startups in India have received increased attention in recent years. Their numbers are on the rise and they are now being widely recognised as important engines for rural transformation. Startup ecosystem has developed over the years. There is palpable optimism that the ecosystem will continue to mature. Nevertheless, startups face significant challenges. Overcoming such hurdles will require efforts of all stakeholders of the ecosystem. With this background, the conclave will have discourse on Challenges, Drivers and Pillars of Agri Start-ups Ecosystem in India
The following important questions need special attention:
- What are the key opportunities of India’s Agriculture startup ecosystem?
- What are the challenges startups facing in India?
- Is India’s environment suitable for startups?
- What kind of support is available to help startups overcome challenges and seize opportunities?
- What are the key growth drivers of India’s startup ecosystem?
Theme-2
THEME-2
Agri Inputs Towards Food Security & Nutrition Security: Challenges and Prospects
It is estimated that by the year 2050, India’s population is projected to rise to 1.6 billion, from its current level of 1.3 billion and India will become the most populous country in the world surpassing China. Further, the Sustainable Development Goal 2 seeks sustainable solutions to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and to achieve food security. The aim is to ensure that everyone everywhere has enough good-quality food to lead a healthy life.
To accommodate this huge population, food production has to be increased and that too from the declining available cultivable land resource. Therefore, there is a need to address the challenges of food, nutritional and livelihood security for ever growing population. On the other hand, Indian agriculture is still grappling with a number of challenges like high monsoon dependency, unpredictable weather patterns, reduction of arable land, low per hectare yield, increased pest attack, lower farmer incomes etc.
In order to feed the rising population with nutritious and nourishing food and ensuring livelihood security, there is a felt need for improving both the quantity and quality of crop produce through optimal and efficient use of agricultural inputs. With this background, the conclave will have discourse on challenges and prospects of Agri Inputs towards Food Security as well as Nutrition security.
The following important questions need special attention:
- How the different dimensions of agri inputs (quality, affordability and availability) will address the food security
- What are the challenges and technology solutions for improving both the quantity and quality of crops?
- What are the approaches to diversify the food production options for greater availability and access to highly nutritious foods and enhancing nutrition quality of staple foods
- What policies with reference to agri-inputs are needed to address both food security and nutrition security?
- What are the challenges and ways forward on optimal and efficient use of agri-inputs?