The Agribusiness Incubation Society (ABIS) – Technology Business Incubator (TBI) in collaboration with a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad conducted AgriUdaan Road Show 6.0 on 28.07.2023 at the Directorate of Agribusiness Development, TNAU, Coimbatore.
Dr.S.D.Sivakumar, Former Director, ABD & TPO to VC, TNAU, Coimbatore said that innovation in Agriculture brings growth and alleviates poverty. He emphasised the importance of technology and automation start-ups, which will be the future of agriculture. Likewise, start-ups should focus more on climate change, environment restoration and factors which affect the agricultural ecosystem. Students should be exposed to start-up ecosystem and refine their innovative ideas through participation in ideathon challenges.
Dr. G. Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore during her presidential addressshared that times have changed for start-ups providing enormous opportunities with regard to funding, mentoring and service from government and Incubation centres. This change is encouraging for new startups to venture into agri business which will be fruitful in terms of productivity and economical growth for the country.
Dr.G.Venkateshwarlu, Joint Director, ICAR-NAARM in his speech, highlighted the need for organizing the launch of the Program in Coimbatore, the city known for education, Technology and Agriculture. He elaborated on the role of NAARM in imparting training to Scientists, Faculty, FPOs and entrepreneurs. Now, NAARM is into giving extensive training to start-ups through mentoring, capacity building programmes and creating platform to link investors, government funding to Startups.