Lucknow: CII Agrotech India – Krishi Bharat 2024, a landmark event that celebrated innovation and sustainability in agriculture, concluded. With over 200 exhibitors, including an impressive delegation from the Netherlands as the partner country, the event attracted over 100,000 farmers and 6,000 trade visitors to a sprawling 20,000 square metre venue. Farmers, industry leaders, policymakers and international delegations engaged in meaningful dialogues and partnerships to explore cutting-edge advancements in farm equipment, food processing and agritech to shape the future of Indian agriculture.
The grand finale featured a conference on water management on the theme ‘Bridging the Gap: Technology, Partnerships and Collaboration.’ The discussions highlighted the urgent need for sustainable practices in water use, with special focus on preventing excessive use of potable water as well as recycling and reuse of sludge and wastewater for non-potable purposes.
Minister of State for Agriculture Education and Research, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Baldev Singh Aulakh emphasized the need for judicious use of water in agriculture. Highlighting irrigation planning and millet cultivation as water-efficient strategies, he said that water conservation is crucial to restore groundwater levels and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability. “Farmers should plan their irrigation wisely to restore groundwater levels and consider millet cultivation, which requires less water and offers multiple benefits,” he said.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar Prajapati, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of Irrigation and Water Resources, Government of Uttar Pradesh, lauded Uttar Pradesh’s pioneering efforts in watershed development and drip systems and shared, “Let us take inspiration from Uttar Pradesh’s pioneering efforts in watershed development, drip systems and other areas to protect our precious water resources.”
He called for greater awareness about government schemes and empowerment of women in water conservation initiatives, which he termed as essential to safeguard the state’s water resources for future generations.
Reiterating the importance of efficient irrigation, Bhavdeep Sardana, Chairman, CII Northern Regional Committee on Water and Senior VP & CEO, Sukhjit Starch & Chemicals Ltd, pointed to the transformational potential of initiatives like PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana and said, “I encourage everyone to adopt technologies like drip irrigation, and support initiatives like PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana, which are transforming agriculture through efficient micro irrigation systems.”
Co-Chair, CII Northern Regional Committee on Water and Senior VP & CEO, NetXAerosy Pvt Ltd Shri Suchit Dekiwadia, CEO, CII Agrotech India, highlighted the critical yet overlooked area of wastewater treatment and reuse. Emphasizing the importance of adopting advanced technologies, he cautioned against negligence in managing water resources amid the growing demands of agriculture, industry and the growing population.
The conference highlighted practical solutions to India’s water challenges, calling for collaboration between policymakers, industry and the farming community. It concluded with a shared commitment to promote sustainable water management practices, which are integral to Uttar Pradesh’s vision of becoming a hub of agricultural innovation.
CII Agrotech India – Krishi Bharat 2024 has left a lasting impact on the farming community, showcasing advancements that empower farmers and promote sustainability. With its distinctive innovation zone, concurrent expos such as Good Earth and Dairy Expo, and participation of international delegations, the event cemented itself as a premier platform to foster partnerships and transform Indian agriculture.
The next edition promises to build on this year’s success while continuing its mission to bring resilience, sustainability and innovation to the agricultural sector.
