ATM News Network: The 14th AgriCorp Conference, organised by Bombay Chamber, successfully concluded with a renewed focus on making Indian farmers market resilient. The conference, held on September 11 and 12, 2023, at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, brought together experts, leaders, and stakeholders to discuss and strategise ways to enhance market linkages in the agricultural sector.
In his inaugural address, Dasharath L Tambhale, Director - Agriculture (ATMA) Commissionerate of Agriculture cum Head, PIU Agriculture, SMART Project, emphasised the need to pass on the benefits of agricultural self-sufficiency to our farmers. He discussed the Agriculture Department's SMART project, which aims to develop a comprehensive and inclusive agricultural value chain. Tambhale also highlighted the importance of mobilizing Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to strengthen their value chains.
Dr. Usha B Zehr, Chairman & Executive Director, Grow Indigo, delivered a keynote address highlighting the concept of "Green Credits" in agriculture, emphasising sustainability, improved farmer incomes, and enhanced market linkages. She stressed the importance of regenerative farming initiatives targeting smallholder farmers who constitute a significant portion of Indian agriculture.
Ritesh Tiwari, President of Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, shared his insights on the complex landscape of Indian agriculture, calling for an "income revolution." He discussed the potential drivers of disruption in the sector, including efficient transportation and storage, digitalization, and innovations in sustainability and productivity.
The conference witnessed the presence of key figures, including Rajan Raje, CEO Nichem Solutions & Chairman - Agriculture and Food Processing Committee, Bombay Chamber, and Sandeep Khosla, Director General, Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The event also marked the release of "Analytique," a publication by Bombay Chamber featuring expert insights on Financing Rural Bharat.
The AgriCorp Conference featured various knowledge sessions over the two days, covering topics such as Retail Dynamics, Agri Startups (Seed to Shelf), the Global Marketplace, Shared Value Creation, Agri Warehousing and Logistics, Leveraging Technology for Market Linkages, Compliances for Taking Indian Products Global, Funding & Government Schemes.
The conference was organised in association with Kisan and received support from SBI, Rallis India, Celcius, BASF, Godrej Agrovet, Nabard, NICHEM, agribazaar, IDBI Bank, and SatSure.
The event marked a significant step toward enhancing the resilience of India's agricultural market and promoting sustainable practices in the sector.