Insights from IInvenTive 2024 Panel Discussion
At the IInvenTive 2024, a panel discussion on “Agriculture & Food Processing” brought together leading experts to discuss innovative solutions in the sector. The panel, moderated by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, included Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director of CFTRI, Mysuru; Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director of NIFTEM, Thanjavur; Dr. Gururaj Chalageri, Principal Scientist at Himalaya Wellness Company; and Mr. Rajasekhar, COO of CSA.
Key Points from the Discussion:
– The panel emphasized the crucial role of technology in transforming agriculture and food processing, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and innovation.
– Discussions highlighted the potential of smart vertical farming (IIT Bhilai) and nanobubble generators (IIT Ropar) in enhancing crop yields and resource management.
– The importance of sustainable solutions, such as the conversion of agricultural waste into value-added products (AgroPro by IIT (BHU)), was underscored.
– Panelists discussed the integration of IoT in agriculture, exemplified by an IoT device for quality assessment of food grains (SASTRA University), as a game-changer in ensuring food quality and safety.
Challenges and Future Directions:
– The panel identified challenges in scalability and accessibility of these technologies, especially in rural and resource-limited settings.
– Future directions include focusing on public-private partnerships to facilitate the translation of these innovations from the lab to the field.
– Emphasis was placed on policy support and funding mechanisms to foster innovation and implementation in the agriculture sector.
The session concluded with a consensus on the need for continued innovation and collaboration among academic institutions, industry, and policymakers to drive forward the agenda of sustainable and efficient agriculture and food processing.
–Rashmi Kumari
