CII urges the need for Agriculture to be recognised as an Industry
Maharashtra farmers to benefit immensely from the technology interventions showcased during CII Agro Tech 2016
Accentuating the significance, role, relevance and the enduring need of technology for Indian agriculture,Dr Abhay Firodia, Chairman, CII Agro Tech 2016 & Chairman, Force Motors Ltd. encouraged Maharashtra’s enterprises to confirm their participation for CII Agro Tech 2016, while addressing the participants at Mumbai today.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today held a road show in Mumbai for the upcoming 12th edition of “CII Agro Tech 2016”. Mr Sunil Khanna, Chairman, CII Maharashtra State Council & President & Managing Director, Emerson Network Power India Pvt Ltd explained that CII has been, since the last 2 decades, closely working the Governments at the Centre & State for policy advocacy related to Agri & food sectors.
“Building Global Competitiveness in Agriculture has been aptly decided as the theme of this event, keeping in view the immense potential that the Indian Agriculture has realised today” said Mr Sunil Khanna.
The event is scheduled from 19 to 22 November 2016 at Chandigarh and will be spread over 16000 sqm of gross space. The President of India has been invited as the Chief Guest of the Inaugural Session.
Dr Abhay Firodia convinced that CII Agro Tech, since its inception in 1994, has been playing the catalytic force and continue to deliver as the most reliable platform for agri prosperity & agri growth. He strongly asserted that it is high time that India’s excellence in agriculture is branded the way it has been recognised and respected as the information technology giant.
The CII Panel discussion on Technology Interventions for Sustainable Agriculture in Maharashtra, explained how CII Agro Tech 2016 would benefit the farmers of Maharashtra and also inspired the group of agri entrepreneurs, financing companies, diplomatic community, companies in agri mechanisation sector to ponder and participate in the most practical and economic solutions for the Indian agriculture.
Chaired by Dr Abhay Firodia, eminent panel that comprised of Mr Sunil Pahilajani, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Greaves Cotton Ltd; Mr David Akov, Consul General, Consulate of Israel; Mr Shirish Barwale, Deputy Managing Director, Mahyco; Mr Shyam S. Vembar, Vice President, Agri Business, Mahindra Agri Solutions Ltd; Prof Upendra Bhandarkar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT-Bombay; called for participation of stakeholders with the idea of accepting the spectrum of technology not only limited to mechanisation alone but also embracing innovation in inputs and seeds, practices related to conservation of resources, specially water and tools that allow farmers to improve their incomes.
Appreciating the entrepreneurial spirit of Maharashtra, Mr Milind Akre, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board(MSAMB), urged the private sector to invest in private markets. He also highlighted the importance of market infrastructure for better price realisation for the farmers.
CII Agro Tech boasts of over 200 satisfied exhibitors in every edition and has by now already sold 30% of the more than 8000 sqm of display area. Punjab & Haryana have always participated as the Host states. Maharashtra would also like to join the league of other agrarian participating states, as stated by Mr Milind Akre.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is partnering the event by way of encouraging thousands of farmers to attend the show and also organising a theme pavilion, focussing on technological innovations. Other partners of this event like Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India would be putting their best foot forward to encourage the food & food processing sector to participate at this 4 day mega event. It would therefore, facilitate an interactive platform between the farm producers and the agriculture industry.
Showcasing technological advancements in agriculture is a key highlight of CII Agro Tech 2016, which has already received confirmation of international participants from Bulgaria, Canada, China, Italy, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and Turkey and very soon companies based in Israel and USA would also be confirming.
Government of India is planning to establish a Make in India Pavilion to showcase the strengths of food processing sector in India and thereby encourage the agri & food based start-ups, thereby encouraging the bright & intellectual youth to embrace the huge commercial opportunity that could be source of reliable self-employment.
