On August 23, 2024, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, hosted the National Conference on "Agribusiness Opportunities and Challenges: Road Ahead to 2047." This event brought together industry experts, academics, and students to discuss the future of agribusiness in India. The conference highlighted key opportunities, challenges, and strategies that will shape the agribusiness sector in the coming decades.

The conference began with a formal recognition of the distinguished speakers. Dr. M.L. Jhakar, Director, SKN Agriculture University, Jobner, was honored with a Green Certificate by Dr. Prabhat Pankaj, Director of Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur. Following this, Dr. Samar Sarabhai, Dean Academics, facilitated Mukesh Gupta, Mentor and Chief Editor of Hello Kisan Forum, with a Green Certificate, acknowledging his contributions to the agricultural community.

Dr. M.L. Jhakar delivered an insightful keynote address, focusing on the opportunities and challenges within the agribusiness sector. He began by discussing the key features of agriculture in Rajasthan, highlighting the difficult conditions faced by farmers in the state. He emphasized the need for better support systems and innovative solutions to improve their livelihoods. Following Dr. Jhakar's address, Dr. Mukesh Gupta took the stage to share his insights on the sustainability of agriculture and the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. As a mentor and chief editor of Hello Kisan Forum, Dr. Gupta brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the discussion. The first session of the conference ended with the presentation of a memento of honor by Dr. Daneshwar, Dean of Student Affairs, to the distinguished speakers. This was followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Oum Kumari, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and participants for their contributions to the success of the conference.

The next session of the National Conference unfolded with a dynamic panel discussion titled "Nurturing Tomorrow's Leaders: Strategic Insights into Agribusiness Management." This session brought together thought leaders and experts in agribusiness, providing the audience with valuable insights into the future of this vital sector. Dr. Oum Kumari took the stage to guide the session forward. The first to speak was Dr. Sudipti Arora, Research Scientist & Assistant Director, Dr. B. Lal Institute of Biotechnology Jaipur, who enlightened the audience on a critical aspect of agribusiness—waste management and disposal. Dr. Muhilan Mahendran, Head of Department, Agribusiness Management, Vivekananda Global University Jaipur,  took the stage to address the younger audience members, particularly those interested in entrepreneurship within the agribusiness sector. Furthermore, he elaborated on the workings of the agricultural system, helping the audience understand the complexities of the sector. The final speaker, Dr. Satya Prakash Mehra International Head, Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development, He spoke about the concept of agroforestry, explaining how it can play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture.

The conference included various sessions, wherein participants were given 15 minutes to present and 5 minutes for the Q&A session. Track 1 titled “Scaling Sustainable Agriculture: Innovations and Policies for a Greener Future”. This session was chaired by Kalpana Rawat, Director of Rawat Group of Colleges, Jaipur, and coordinated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Singh and Dr. Rajesh Kumar Sinha. Key topics discussed during the session included the role of agriculture in contributing to GDP and the importance of pesticide knowledge and safety behaviors. Tools such as Harman's single factor test and the Heterotrait-Monotrait Ratio (HTMT) were introduced to highlight the need for rigorous analysis in agriculture studies.

In Track 2 "Digital Transformation in Agribusiness: Technology-Driven Growth and New Models." The session was moderated by Dr. Rishi P. Shukla, with Dr. Muhilan Mahendran as the esteemed session chair. Students showcased their innovative ideas and research on the integration of technology in agribusiness. The students presented various models and strategies, highlighting how digital tools can enhance agricultural productivity, streamline supply chains, and create sustainable business models in the agribusiness sector.

In Track 3 “Agribusiness in Global Markets: Strategies for Enhancing India's Trade Competitiveness” The session was chaired by Prof. Manisha Choudhary, Manipal University, Jaipur, and coordinated by Dr Himanshi Pandey. Key topics discussed during the session were economic outcomes of nutrition-sensitive agriculture in low and middle-income countries, agriculture in J&K, and Indebtedness in farmers of Rajasthan.

The valedictory session followed, featuring a prize distribution ceremony for the student participants who had presented in the session. The event also included a feedback session, where students shared their experiences and learnings from the conference. The conference was successfully convened by Dr. Oum Kumari.

Credits:

Press Release: Radhika Sharma (MRC 2024-26)

Content: Arreba Suhail, Vibhanshi Jain, and Mohit Tailor (MRC 2024-26)

Photography: Hera Parvez, Zuber Parvez, Rishabh Sain, and Sneha Soni (MRC 2024-26)

Clips: Mohit Tailor, Vaidant Anand (MRC 2024-26)

Caption: Bhumika Madhwani (MRC 2024-26)

PR report – Mohit (MRC 2024-26)

Social media – Sneha Agrawal (MRC 2023-25)

MRC Coordination Lead by – Aryan Katyal, Samarth Bhargava, Yashika Choudhary, Piyush Verma (MRC 2023-25)