ICRISAT Promotes AgTech Smart Solutions on National Technology Day

Participants at Tech Show 2022 organized by AIP-ICRISAT and IKP-Prime Knowledge Park in Hyderabad. Photo: ICRISAT
Technology is gaining a lot of traction in the Agricultural sector and ICRISAT is also making big strides towards technological advancements. To commemorate the achievements of innovations and technological excellence, Agribusiness and Innovations Platform of ICRISAT and IKP-Prime of IKP Knowledge Park jointly organized Agri TechShow 2022, on National Technology Day, i.e. May 11, 2022 at Hyatt Place, Hyderabad. This event was attended by 60 delegates and 7 agtech start-ups.
The event was an initiative to address the need of increasing awareness and adoption of technology in the agricultural sector. Entrepreneurs, innovators and start-ups had the opportunity to present their innovations before companies, industry experts and stakeholders in focussed domains. AgTech start-ups that participated in the event were from around the country and showcased their technology to Agri stakeholders looking to diversify their activities. They presented their innovations to a panel of judges. Satyukt Analytics and Natura Crop Care won cash prizes for top pitches at the Tech Showcase 2022.
“We are happy to be a part of bringing together industry experts, farmers, and start-ups to showcase their latest Agri technology and how farmers can adopt sustainable farming,” said Aravazhi Selvaraj, Chief Executive Officer, Agribusiness and Innovations Platform, ICRISAT
The event had a session where all these innovations were presented followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Bandhana Katoch, IKP-Prime with comments from the industry experts Aravazhi Selvaraj, CEO, AIP-ICRISAT, Bhanu Prakash Reddy Varla, Partner & Director – Gray Logic Tech, and NV Ramana, Advisor at Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited sharing views and insights on “accelerating commercialization and innovation gaps in Indian agriculture”.
Towards the end of these discussion, our special guests –farmers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh – Shri Jaipal Reddy, Shri Karunakar Reddy and Padma Shri Awardee 2020 Shri Chintala Venkat Reddy, shared their experiences and insights about using innovative and smart AgTech solutions in agricultural practices. This session provided innovators with a realistic image of what is needed by the farming sector today. The discussion also revealed the realities and gaps in the agricultural sector that needs to be addressed by innovators from academia, research and start-ups.
In her closing statement Ms Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman & CEO, IKP Knowledge Park said that “ Glad to say that IKP Knowledge Park and ICRISAT came together to hold Technology Showcase on Agri Tech companies. These are start- ups that presented their technology and solutions to a group of experts from industry, academia and farming communities. As per my interactions, start-ups must partner with farmers to provide the best Agtech solution. That is exactly what is needed today to enhance not only productivity but also to enhance value creation,” said.