National conference on agri start-ups inaugurated at Gangtok

GANGTOK: A two-day national conference on 'Agri-Startups: Prospects, Challenges, Technologies, and Strategies (AGRiPACTS - 2022)' was inaugurated at Manan Kendra, Gangtok, Sikkim on May 26.

The conference will focus on Agri-business Ecosystems, Potential Technologies, IPR Technologies & Commercialization, challenges faced by Ecosystem Builders and Agri STARTUPS and Convergence among stakeholders. The conference was inaugurated by the chief guest, Lok Nath Sharma, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Service, Sikkim. He accentuated the importance of organic farming and initiatives for highest purity standards for creating opportunities and demand for agricultural products from Sikkim to other parts of country and globe. He also highlighted all initiatives taken by the Government of Sikkim for widespread marketing opportunities and self-sufficiency achieved in milk production; further added to bring scientific-based research with solutions that benefit farmers.

While addressing the gatherings, guest of honour Prof. Avinash Khare, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University, emphasized branding of agricultural products and processed items from Sikkim for marketing for sustainability and income generation for employment. He welcomed the initiative taken by organizers to develop and promote entrepreneurs in Sikkim.

P. Vaiphei, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, highlighted importance of developing entrepreneurs in agriculture, particularly in organic products. He emphasized that Manipur was also following the footsteps of Sikkim as an organic state and was trying to enhance the organic agriculture and value additions so that economy of the farmers and the region were enhanced.

The inaugural event was witnessed by more than 500 participants from all over the country, which includes more than 70 Scientists/Venture or business experts, more than 75 office bearers/members of Farmers Producers Company/Organizations (FPCs/FPOs), 20 successful agri start-ups, more than 120 state officials from all over the Northeast (NE) Region, representatives from different departments/agencies of such as NABARD, MSME, APEDA, FSSAI, MOMA, SFAC etc. and students from different agriculture and management institutes, stated a press release.

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