Amity University Gurugram organized webinar on Use of ICT and Youth for Agriculture Development: Need of the Hour on 8th April 2021.
The main objective of the webinar was identify the thrust areas in favour of youth in agriculture sector and To create a dialogue on knowledge and best practices concerning the interfaces between agriculture, youth, employment, entrepreneurship, ICT innovations in agriculture and rural development including the role of machine learning and artificial intelligence and smart agritech systems, To appreciate the importance of ICT, Data Science and new Agri-sciences and new generation Agri technologies for improving outreach and effectiveness in agriculture.
The Amity University Gurugram considers it a matter of great privilege to organise the present high impact webinar being addressed by the Principal Scientist of Dr MS Swaminathan Foundation Dr N Parasuraman, Chairman of FICCI Task Force on Agri Start-ups Shri Hemendra Mathur and New Age Agri Entrepreneur Shri Sachin Darbarwar Founder and CEO of Simply Fresh India.
The Webinar was graced by our Inspirational Leader Hon’ble Chancellor AUH Dr Aseeem Chauhan and steered by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof PB Sharma, Eminent Scientist Dr Indu Shekhar Thakur .
The webinar started with the opening remarks of Dr Sanjna Vij, Co-ordinator of the webinar. Dr Sanjna Vij said that the entry of digital technology like robotics, drones, machine learning, AI and other latest computer software’s have completely transformed traditional agriculture and has put it into new frame that is known as “Smart and Modern agriculture”.
The Welcome Address was delivered by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. P. B. Sharma, Amity University Haryana said that care and concern for life has taken a precedence over growth and development, it is absolutely necessary to pay an added attention to the essentials for survival that include food and nutrition, potable water and clean air.
Prof. Sharma further mentioned that Naturally so, the Govt of India have initiated several missions in the recent past such as, National Clean Air Mission, Gurujal and Namami Gange and lately provided a great impetus on circular economy that aims at creating an enabling environment for most effective waste management
In his words of wisdom at the High Impact webinar, the Chancellor of Amity University Haryana, Dr Aseem Chauhan said “We must look at tomorrow’s India that requires a renewed focus on sustainability and jobs. Much of this shall depend upon our ability in the university community to inspire youth to turn towards rural with tomorrows Agri-tech solutions”.
The webinar was addressed by the Chairman of FICCI Task force on Agri Tech startups, Mr. Hemendra Mathur who said, “The participation of rural youth should be given an added focus along with fostering new agritech startups in rural India. Principal Scientist of Dr M S Swaminathan Research Foundation Dr N Parasuraman said “A new wave of Green Revolution is on the card with high technology moving towards rural India.
The unique feature of the webinar was the success story shared by Sachin Darbarwar, Founder and CEO of Simply Fresh India who after spending 15 years in SW profession returned to India along with his wife Sweta to establish the agri-tech startup that integrates most advanced AI and IT solutions into energy and water efficient, highly productive venture that today has grown to great eminence on 150 acres of precision farming producing farm fresh vegetables along with a wide variety of medicinal plants using hydroponic farming. The produce from such an innovative and smart farming are both safe and of world quality, Sachin Said.
Vote of Thanks was given by Dr Indu Shekhar Thakur, Director ASEES and Head Amity Centre for Bio Energy, Amity University Haryana. During vote of thanks and summing up the session Professor Thakur emphasized the role of highly energetic, charismatic and visionary Amity University Education Patron Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan Sir and Chancellor Dr. Aseem Chauhan who are always behind the faculties, students and non-teaching staffs for translation of their knowledge generation, activities and learning.
Dr Chauhan praised for the excellent work of Mr. Sachin and Mrs Shweta whose contributions have revived the Agriculture Sciences by automation, marketing and commercialization, particularly work of hydroponic where cost is major factors but after automation of ICT the productivity has increased. He also suggested use of waste water after proper treatment in hydroponics. He extended thanks to Dr. N. Parasuraman for illustrious achievements of Swaminathan Foundation with the help of different centers, and scientific achievements and narrating how meaningful gap in the existing research approach can be full filled by anticipatory and participatory research. He also thanked Mr. Mathur for his excellent deliberations on skill development of the youth, venture capital development through several mechanisms and ecosystem building, participation of private equity - fund raising, investing and portfolio management for starts up, entrepreneurship and youth to move towards Smart Agriculture together with policy making.
At the end, to wrap up the discussions, Prof. Sharma highlighted that several questions and important observations had been raised up by participants through which it is quite visible that aspirant youth of our country are ready to adopt and able to come up with innovative and creative solutions using science and technology to transform traditional agriculture all together.
Overall it was very informative and impactful webinar for all the amity campuses.