NATIONAL START UP SUMMIT 2018

Indian agrarian community constitutes 70% of the population. Still, there are very few Startups in Agri sector in India. Though there are many e-commerce companies in FMCG and retail sector, but only a few players are there in agri input sector of India. Currently, farmers are facing problem for getting quality input at competitive price. They are exploited by input dealers and in most of the cases, input dealers act as extension personnel for farmers in rural India.. If a transparent platform (like e-commerce companies in other sectors) could have been provided to farmers, they must have received quality input at a much competitive price There is a high scope for Startups in agriculture sector in India.

Indian agriculture is supply driven and less market driven compared to other markets. In the last two decades, powered by the governmental policies and strong engagement of the industry and institutions, agriculture is rapidly evolving into agribusiness in terms of approach and structure.  In the last one decade, the sector has been thronged by the streams of educated youth, fired by the ideas, passion and innovations to launch newer kinds of technology and business models to lift the face of agriculture from primitive to hi-tech one. These startups are providing missing links in the agri-value chain and delivering efficient products, technologies and services to the farmers on one hand and the consumers on the other hand.

From ICT apps to farm automation and from smart poultry and dairy ventures to smart agriculture and from protected cultivation to innovative food processing and packaging, its proliferation of all innovations and technology driven powerful startups set to revolutionize the food and agriculture sector.

This not only speaks about millions of hopes associated with agriculture but also points out to the huge scope for agritech startups in the country to make those hopes of Indian farmers to come true.

Likewise, the central and state governments are proactively pursuing policies to improve farmers’ lives in India. In fact, PM Modi’s government has an aim to double the average farmer’s income by 2022.

However, many of the existing agrienterprises, despite savoring initial success, are facing difficulties to scale and expand. They are looking for ideas, inspirations and support to scale to newer heights. Entrepreneur India is a platform for entrepreneurs to discover and unleash breakthrough Ideas, Innovations and Insights are  needed to realize the potential of social, economic and tech ecosystem.

CCSHU National Startups Summit2018

In this context, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University organized Ist National Startups Summit 2018 on June 1-2, 2018 among all the 76 SAUs of India under the able guidance of Professor K.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor of CCSHAU,Hisar with an aim to bring all the startups in food and agri space on single platform for sharing of success stories and exploring business and marketing linkages, technology and financial tie-ups and partnership opportunities. Vice chancellor of the university had been the driving force behind this whole process and put all the efforts for developing this new start up agenda for integrated approach of entrepreneurship.

The National Start up Summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, Dr. Satya Pal Singh Ji. The summit was also addressed by Deputy Director General Agricultural Education ICAR,Dr.N.S. Rathore, Assistant Director Dr.Douglas,Michigan State University and Professor K P Singh,Vice Chancellor of CCSHAU,Hisar . Dr. Karim, Professor, Dr. Raj Bala Grewal,Convenor of the Summit and Dr. Seema Rani, organizing Secretary were also present in the Event.

The agenda of the Summit was

• Interface of Agri-business Companies with Agripreneurs
• Innovative strategies in Agriculture
• Initiatives of Women Agripreneurs
• Business Networking
• Export opportunities in Agriculture products
• Igniting start ups to accelerate entrepreneurship
• Interactive session

The event also included a notable line of expert speakers addressing to a great diversity of attendees on some topics critical to inspiration and innovation – targeted specifically to the interests, challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Overall, around 500 participants hailed from 22 states and 32 Institutes across the country attended the summit. Besides that, researchers, faculty members, academicians and potential mentors, financial institutions and bankers, vocational training institutes, skill development schools, startup ventures, innovators and industrialists, entrepreneurs and policy makers also attended the Summit. The event was financially supported by NABARD, ONGC, ACE Tractors and Jain Irrigations.

The summit included 4 technical and two poster sessions, keynotes and panels ignite talks, pitch stage, mentoring, and networking sessions aimed to give participants tailored opportunities to gain skill and relationships that will help their ventures grow. Within the Summit there was experiential exhibitions, Media interactions and opportunities to connect with industry thought Leaders and Mentors.

Prominent speakers such as Dr. Srinivas,CEO, TBI(A-Idea)ICAR,NAAREM ,Hyderabad , Dr. Milind R Aggarwal, Director,Michigan state university Alumini Club in India Mumbai, Ms. Shri Khala Singh,Head assessment,ASCI, Sh.Paramjit Singh,Chandigarh, Dr. Narendra Dagar,former chairman IFFCO, Dr. Neelam Chaudhary, Assistant Director and Charted accountants from different Institutes shared their insights and outlook for the future of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship.

STARTUP EXHIBITION

One of its own kinds a Startup Exhibition was organized in the Summit which provided a unique platform to participants to showcase & display their capabilities, strengths and get their efforts highlighted in presence of eminent dignitaries and key stakeholders of the Startup Ecosystem. A total of 50 startup ideas were displayed by the students from different part of the country and best 10 startup ideas were given prizes at the valedictory function.

Conclusive remarks

The Summit had a positive impact and as the last day of National Start up summit approached, the startupers were excited for the announcement to know the names of the winners. It seemed like this was one of the most exciting day in their life not only, because the names of the winners would have been revealed, but also because one of the most life changing experiences was coming to its end. The closing ceremony as the whole event itself was held in a very friendly atmosphere. The event ended with victorious moments full of happiness and joy.

The event concluded with the sharing of some of the best START UP practices advocated and practiced in the country by Dr. M.L Madan former DDG Animal Sciences &  Former Vice Chancellor, Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Agriculture University, Akola, Maharashtra, Dr. Balraj Singh, Vice Chancellor ,Jodhpur university and Dr. Chindi Vasudevappa, Vice Chancellor, NIFTEM, HARYANA