CII Agrotech 2024 focuses on empowering farmers with advanced seed technology and climate-smart solutions. Strategic use of data and advanced technologies can transform water management in agriculture: Experts at CII Agrotech 2024. Clonal agroforestry: A promising sustainable solution for farmers of Uttar Pradesh
Lucknow: On the last day of CII Agrotech India Krishi Bharat 2024, a session was organized on ‘Sustainable Agriculture for a Stronger Future: Integrating Innovation, Climate Action and Community Empowerment’. In this session, experts discussed innovative practices, climate-smart solutions and empowerment strategies for the farming community.
Underlining the importance of technology in agriculture, Asim Arun, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Social Welfare, Scheduled Castes & Tribes Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh said, “Agriculture is the basic need of all of us. Advanced technology in agriculture is the need of the hour and imperative. It will not only address challenges but also enhance farmers’ profitability. Agricultural finance and market linkages are crucial to empower farmers and improve their quality of life.”
The panelists included Punit Pandey, DGM, Leads Connect Services Pvt. Ltd, Alok Verma, Community and Project Director, My Clean City, HCL Foundation, Sanjay Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Pradeep Mishra, Senior Vice President, Aries Agro Ltd and Ashish Srivastava, who emphasized the need to educate farmers on quality seeds, advanced seed technologies like drought resistant varieties and scientific crop management. They discussed the adoption of climate-smart agriculture techniques that help increase productivity and ease the process.
The panel further discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and actionable intelligence that can help improve agricultural outcomes. In another discussion, which included Avnesh Singh, Shenoy C. Mathew, Umakant Pandey, Saurabh Rai and Vijay Vardhan, highlighted the benefits of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). They emphasized the important role of FPOs in promoting collective development, improving market access and increasing productivity.
Bridging the Gaps: Technology, Partnerships and Irrigation Discussion at CII Agrotech Krishi Bharat 2024
The fourth day of CII Agrotech Krishi Bharat 2024 held a conference on “Water and Irrigation Management” on the theme – ‘Bridging the Gaps: Technology, Partnerships and Irrigation’. The session was attended by eminent government officials, industry leaders, public sector bank representatives and CII officials. The main objective of the discussion was to explore transformational solutions to improve water and irrigation management in India.
Baldev Singh Aulakh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the State Government’s firm commitment to promote water conservation and sustainable farming practices. He emphasized the importance of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which ensure efficient supply of water directly to the crop roots. “The government is encouraging farmers to adopt water-efficient methods and diversify into crops like millets, vegetables and fruits, which require less water,” he said.
Bhavdeep Sardana, Chairman, CII Northern Region Water Committee, underlined the critical role of efficient water management in promoting economic growth. “Strategic use of data and advanced technologies can significantly reduce water consumption while promoting sustainable agriculture,” he emphasized. He also lauded government initiatives like PMKSY and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, which focus on rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems.
Sharad Chandak, Chief General Manager, Lucknow Circle, State Bank of India, acknowledged the important role of the banking sector in agricultural development. They discussed schemes such as Kusum Yojana, which subsidizes solar-powered pumps, and Per Drop More Crop, which supports the adoption of eco-friendly irrigation systems.
Sandeep Kumar, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Uttar Pradesh, highlighted the state’s extensive canal network, which interlinks rivers and ensures reliable irrigation.
Agroforestry: An Innovative Alternative to Wheat and Paddy Cultivation
A dedicated session titled ‘Agroforestry: An Innovative Alternative to Wheat and Paddy Cultivation’ was organised to educate farmers of Uttar Pradesh about sustainable cropping systems. The session presented clonal agroforestry as a potential practice that offers long-term profitability despite the higher initial cost.
The session emphasised the importance of soil testing, which helps farmers select appropriate crop and tree species, so that they can get better yields. Experts also highlighted the economic prospects of sandalwood trees, which are known for their high market value and attractive returns.
Dr. Ajay Thakur of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun,
Speakers including Mr. Mukesh Kumar Tyagi, Director Technical, Naini Papers Ltd and Mr. Utkrisht Pandey shared practical insights on agroforestry practices.
Their guidance inspired farmers to diversify crops, improve soil health and adopt sustainable practices for a prosperous future.
The event concluded with an emphasis on innovation, education and collaboration, which are the key pillars for building a strong and resilient agriculture sector.
