Usage of technology in agriculture space is becoming crucial in India. The country’s agriculture sector, which is worth US$370 billion, continues to remain the main source of livelihood for over 58 percent of the population and contributes 19.9 percent (FY 2021) to the national GDP. To achieve the goal of Doubling Farmers’ Income, Indian agriculture needs technology-aided modernization, backed by resilient reforms and this is where Agritech is expected to play a significant role. 

Under this context India's leading Agritech companies and Agri-institutions converged to enlighten farmers and FPOs on the future of agriculture at the The Bengal Chamber's first-ever "SmartAgri Summit 2022  - Sustainable Agriculture through AgriTech Solutions"  - on 9th December at Hotel Sheraton, Hyderabad. The Summit featured both panel discussions as well as Exhibition Stalls. 

Major Agritechs and Agricultural institutions who took part in the summit included ITC, MANAGE, NABARD, APMA, Verdesian Life Sciences LLP, Dhanuka Agritech, ATGC Biotech, SBI, Samunnati, Omnivore, Kalgudi Agritech, X-Machines, Agribazaar , Marut Drones, Insecticides India Ltd, LIC and others. 

The conclave started with a Welcome Address by Mr Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber &Consultant, Indofil Industries Ltd. He explained why The Bengal Chamber had chosen to organize this Summit in Telangana. He went on to say that earlier in agriculture, challenges were production, processing, and consumption but in recent years sustainability and climate hazards have gained prominence.  

Shri Singireddy Niranjan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation & Marketing, Telangana Govt. inaugurated the exhibition. He remarked that he was very happy that the Bengal Chamber of Commerce had chosen the capital city of Hyderabad as the venue for the Summit. He lauded the pro-farmers initiatives that have been taken by the Telangana government and said that these have instilled a lot of confidence in the farmers. 

He further stated that these days in Telangana one does not find persons in the rural areas who suffers for want of any work or allocation. Hardly there is any surplus labour and there is always deficit labour. Now not only Telangana provided employment but also people from neighbouring states are being helped.

Delivering the thematic address, Mr. Subir Chakraborty, President, BCC&I. MD & CEO, Exide Industries Ltd. said that "the Sustainable Agriculture Programme for India should first address the issue of water scarcity and dwindling groundwater reserves". He further stated that "to attain sustainability in agriculture sector, investment in research and development is equally crucial."

Dr. Ashok Dalwai, IAS, CEO, NRAA, Ministry Of Agriculture And Farmers' Welfare, GoI & Chairman, Commission Of Doubling Farmers’ Income was present on the occasion. He mentioned that any economic growth in agriculture bring a major benefit in the eradication of poverty. 1 percent growth in agriculture removes more than 10 % of poverty and no other economic sector can compare with agriculture in the eradication of basic poverty. According to him, the two prime objectives of Smart Agriculture must be to generate employment and income for the farmers since they are the entrepreneurs and to simultaneously do it in such a way that our Mother Earth is not compromised.

Smt. Susheela Chintala, CGM, NABARD, Hyderabad said that "All roads are now leading towards agriculture along with digital revolution and it is in the best interest of all stakeholders that FPOs survive. Start-ups want to engage with the farmers through the FPOs. Today the FPOs most important requirement is both working capital and infrastructure funds."

The Summit featured Exhibitions Stall by around 15 Agri companies and around 250 delegates and FPOs participated in the event. The proceedings attracted widespread media coverage both in the Telugu and English media. The important recommendations coming out of the deliberations of the Summit will be shared with the policy makers for their consideration.