India’s Premier Agri Summit was successfully organized from November 22-25, 2024, at PDKV Ground, Nagpur. Guided by the visionary leadership of Chief Patron Shri Nitin Gadkari and the expert advice of Dr. C. D. Mayee, Chairman of the Agrovision Advisory Council, the event has grown into a pivotal platform for empowering farmers through technology, training, and trade. This year’s theme, “Empowering Farmers: Technology, Training, and Trade,” encapsulated the summit’s focus on advancing agricultural practices, bridging knowledge gaps, and fostering entrepreneurship among farmers.
Agrovision 2024 hosted a Mega National Exhibition featuring a wide array of products and services, with special pavilions highlighting MSMEs, IT in Agriculture, and Start-ups. The event attracted lakhs of farmers and industry stakeholders. A key feature was the organization of 35 free interactive workshops that educated farmers about the latest agricultural technologies and trends. Topics included increasing dairy business, using IT in agriculture, enhancing sugarcane and orange production, opportunities in fisheries, and food processing in Vidarbha. These sessions, led by expert speakers, provided farmers with actionable insights and motivated them to adopt innovative practices.
On November 24, a workshop on “Food Processing Opportunities in Vidarbha” was jointly conducted by the Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) and Laxminarayan Institute of Technology Alumni Association (LITAA)
at PDKV Ground, Nagpur under Agrovision. Moderated by CA Girish Deodhar, Chairman of VIA MSME Forum, the session aimed to encourage entrepreneurs to establish food-processing industries in Vidarbha by leveraging government schemes such as PSI 2019, which offers 100% fixed capital investment incentives. Experts provided insights into processing opportunities for products from the region’s ODOP (One District One Product) list, covering six key categories.
Citrus Processing : Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director of ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI), highlighted Vidarbha’s potential as a hub for citrus processing, given its production of Nagpur Mandarin, Sweet Orange, and Acid Lime. He discussed innovative value-added products like vitamin-enriched gummies, mandarin-based fizzy drinks, and pummelo peel candy. Citrus by-products, including peel oil and pectin, present export opportunities to Gulf and Southeast Asian countries. However, challenges such as post-harvest losses and insufficient processing facilities persist. CCRI is addressing these issues through initiatives like introducing 30 exotic citrus varieties in 2025, promoting exports via APEDA, and supporting entrepreneurs through its agribusiness incubation center, CitriHub.
Millets : Dr. Pratima Shastri, former Head of the Food Department at LIT, emphasized reviving millet-based foods and incorporating millets into mainstream products like cookies, bread, and snacks to boost their acceptability. She advocated for promoting traditional millet foods and leveraging social media to highlight their health benefits. Initiatives such as millet festivals, millet cafes, and specialized breakfast menus could help increase millet consumption, especially among the younger generation.
Pulses : Mr. Manohar Bhojwani, CEO of Nagpur Dall Millers Cluster Pvt Ltd, discussed the role of pulses in sustainable agriculture and modern processing. Pulses enrich soil fertility, conserve water, and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. Modern processing technologies can enhance the nutritional integrity of pulses and create innovative products like plant-based protein isolates. Promoting a comprehensive farm-to-fork value chain and incentivizing pulse cultivation can ensure economic benefits for farmers and support environmental sustainability.
Spices : Mr. Anil Ahirkar, MD of Saoji Spices, outlined the challenges faced by the spice industry in Vidarbha, such as declining production due to irrigation issues and plant diseases. He emphasized the need for government support in providing affordable electricity, farmer training, and pest control measures. Vidarbha’s chili and turmeric have high market potential but require infrastructure and policy interventions to thrive.
Soybean Processing : Dr. Sheha Karadbhajne, Head of the Food Department at LIT, highlighted Vidarbha’s suitability for soybean farming and the untapped potential for processing soybeans into value-added products like milk, tofu, protein concentrates, and vegan meat alternatives. She noted the growing global demand for plant-based protein and advocated for developing local processing units to reduce dependence on external markets.
Oilseeds : Dr. V.Y. Karadbhajne, Head of Oil Technology at LIT, discussed the potential of oilseed processing in Vidarbha. He suggested focusing on crops like groundnut, mustard, sunflower, and sesame, as well as tree-borne oilseeds like mahua and neem. Establishing oil extraction units at the gram or taluka level could create livelihood opportunities and ensure better returns for farmers. He emphasized the need for awareness programs to promote sustainable cultivation and processing.
The workshop concluded with an engaging Q&A session, highlighting the participants’ keen interest. Moderator CA Girish Deodhar emphasized the importance of organizing regular workshops to promote ODOP products across Vidarbha’s districts. He assured VIA’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in establishing units by leveraging government schemes like PSI 2019 and initiatives from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI). The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kapil Sahoo of LITAA.
Agrovision 2024 underscored the importance of empowering farmers through knowledge-sharing, technology adoption, and entrepreneurial support. With a focus on sustainable practices, value addition, and policy advocacy, the summit provided a robust platform for stakeholders to collaborate and drive economic growth in the agricultural sector. By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities in areas like citrus, millets, pulses, spices, soybeans, and oilseeds, Vidarbha is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in agri-processing and export, ensuring a brighter future for its farmers and industries.