The chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development GR Chintala said agricultural activity continued unhindered during the COVID-19 pandemic, offset losses due to the economy and created jobs for 11.2 million people.
“I urge the students to transform to social engineering. There is a lot of potential in start-ups in agriculture and related sectors. Land fragmentation, poor mechanization, inadequate storage facilities and poor education and awareness among farmers are some of the problems that prevent Indian agriculture from reaching its potential. Faced with these challenges, agricultural preneurship and technology are the way forward to accelerate agricultural growth and increase productivity, ” said Mr Chintala during his speech at the 9th convocation of Vignan University in Vadlamudi on Saturday.
Mr Chintala said that agriculture-based entrepreneurship combined agriculture and entrepreneurship to address a range of challenges across the agricultural value chain by transforming the farming system with innovative ideas and affordable solutions between farmers, commodity traders, wholesalers, retailers and Consumers, connects them with each other and offers strong marketing connections and quality products in a timely manner.
However, agripreneurs were often disadvantaged due to the lack of resources and land to which they had access. To encourage and promote agri-preneurs and start-ups, NABARD had set up and supported the upscaling of Agri Business Incubation Centers (ABICs) at agricultural universities across the country, with the closest in Hyderabad at the National Academy of Agriculture Management (NAARM. ). ).
These incubation centers would provide startups with the necessary business resources and support services, marketing agreements, and funding to transform them into viable commercial entities.
He later presented an honorary doctorate in philosophy to Achyutha Samata, MP and Founding Chairman of the Kalinga Institute of Technology and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Odisha, and Satyanarayana Chava, Founder and CEO Laurus Labs Ltd., Hyderabad.
Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, MP and President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, spoke about the country’s deeply rooted cultural ethos and the respect India enjoys in the global order. India was one of the fastest growing countries in the world and said students should enjoy a values-based education.
The institution awarded 21 academic gold medals, 21 awards for the best outgoing students, one gold medal for the chairman, three foundation awards, one award for best NCC, NSS and social engagement, one award for best leader, one exemplary award, and two honorary doctorates.
The chairman of the Vignan Group, Lavu Rathaiah, vice chairman and MP Lavu Srikrishna Devarayulu, Chancellor K. Rammoorthy Naidu and Vice Chancellor MYS Prasad were present.
