Agricultural Innovations to Revitalize Rural Economies
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is set to host Agritech South 2024 and Agri Vision 2024, an exhibition and conference focused on agricultural technology and innovation. The event, organized by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, will take place from February 16 to 18, 2024, in Hyderabad, India.
Prominent figures in attendance will include Telangana Chief Minister A Revansu Reddy and Deputy Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, who have been invited as the guests of honor. The Government of Telangana is also playing a crucial role as the organizing partner for the event.
Keynote speaker Mr. K. Ashok Reddy, Director of the Telangana Horticulture Department, emphasized the importance of bringing the latest agricultural technology to farmers. In his address, he highlighted that without technological innovations, the agriculture sector would struggle to survive. This need for innovation is further underlined by the migration of unemployed rural youth to urban areas in search of work.
Interestingly, many software engineers who have been exposed to cutting-edge technology overseas have returned to India and ventured into farming. By applying their knowledge and leveraging best practices, they have introduced new technologies to the agricultural landscape. This positive trend sends a powerful message to educated yet unemployed rural youth, encouraging them to pursue similar approaches. By embracing agritech, agriculture can be transformed into a viable business, ultimately boosting the rural economy.
During the three-day event, attendees can expect 16 sessions and panel discussions featuring 65 experts from India, the US, Australia, and other countries. Various sectors will be covered, including agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, poultry farming, aquaculture, agribusiness management, and agritech startups. More than 30 agritech startups will also showcase their innovative solutions.
The Chairman of CII Agritech South 2024 Steering Committee, Dr. V. Praveen Rao, emphasized CII’s commitment to promoting agritech. As part of the event, ten agritech startups will present their product ideas and solutions directly to farmers. These startups focus on the implementation of cutting-edge technologies like robotics, IoT, artificial intelligence, drones, and precision irrigation. CII aims to provide a platform for startups operating in these areas to showcase their breakthrough products. Additionally, 25 companies with field-implementable solutions will display their products at the AgriTech exhibition, offering a range of validated use cases.
Notably, over 100 exhibitors will participate in the event, including major agricultural companies such as Coromandel, ITC, and TAFE. The organizers anticipate an impressive attendance of 20,000 visitors from the farming community and related industries.
Agritech South 2024 and Agri Vision 2024 promise to be a significant platform for knowledge sharing, showcasing innovative solutions, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By prioritizing technological advancements in agriculture, India can revitalize its rural economies and provide sustainable opportunities for its rural youth.
