A sensitization workshop on ‘Entrepreneurship Development in Agriculture’ was organized in online mode by CoA, JAU, Junagadh, in collaboration with ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, on September 17, 2024.
A sensitization workshop on ‘Entrepreneurship Development in Agriculture’ was organized in online mode by CoA, JAU, Junagadh, in collaboration with ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, on September 17, 2024. During the inaugural, Dr. V. P. Chovatia, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, sent his note of appreciation for the programme. Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, delivered his presidential address, highlighting the role of his institute in fostering entrepreneurial inclination among agricultural graduates. On behalf of the university, Dr. P. D. Kumawat, Principal and Dean, CoA, JAU, Junagadh, dwelled on the expectations of the university from the programme and pitched for future collaborations with ICAR-NAARM. Dr. N. A. Vijay Avinashilingam, Principal Scientist, XSM & Addtl. CEO, a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM, served as the Programme Director besides delivering an interactive lecture on ‘Fostering entrepreneurial mindset in teaching.' Additionally, Dr. B. Ganesh Kumar, Principal Scientist & Head, HRM, was also roped in as a resource person. Another unique aspect of the sensitization programme was the session on experience sharing by an ICAR-NAARM-enabled startup, in which Dr. Ragul Paramasivam, Co-Founder and CEO, Chimertech Private Limited, Chennai, inspired the students with his agri-tech startup company committed to revolutionizing the dairy industry through innovative and sustainable solutions. During the feedback session, the students expressed their satisfaction in learning about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country, with many opining that they gained insights on the types of schemes and grants available at the state and national level for startups. Dr. B. Swaminathan and Dr. B. H. Tavethiya served as the local coordinators of the event. The programme benefitted more than 350 UG and PG students from the colleges of agriculture, horticulture, and agricultural engineering as in-house audience and online participants apart from the faculty members and research staff of the university joining virtually from their workplaces.