HARVEST Asia Pacific Summit on Smart & Sustainable Agriculture: A Dialogue on Rural Transformation
“Farmers are the real scientist”: Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Advisor to the Northern Region S&T Cluster, (Pi Rahi)
Chandigarh, India: The HARVEST (Holistic Agri-tech Initiative for Rural Value-chain Enhancement & Sustainable Transformation) Asia Pacific Summit officially began on April 21, 2025, with the inaugural session hosted at IIT Ropar, Punjab. This marks the start of a transformative week dedicated to empowering Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and agricultural cooperatives through a series of curated sessions focused on innovation, best practices, and collaboration. The summit brings together FPOs and cooperatives from across India and 7 Asia-Pacific countries, fostering a global dialogue on sustainable agriculture.
Jointly organized by NEDAC (Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific), PI-RAHI- Northern Region Science & Technology Cluster under the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA), Government of India, the summit is held in collaboration with Unati Co-op. Marketing-cum-Processing Society Ltd. The central aim is to enhance rural value chains and drive grassroots transformation through innovative technologies.
The summit kicked off with a powerful opening address by Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora, Advisor to the Northern Region S&T Cluster, who highlighted the success of Unati Cooperative as a prime example of cooperative-led entrepreneurship. Dr. Radhika Trikha, CEO of iHub-AWaDH, emphasized the role of Agritech innovations developed under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems and ANNAM.AI (AI- CoE in Agriculture), showcasing their potential to drive data-driven agriculture.
The two-day training programme included valuable field visits to CSIR IHBT Palampur, offering participants first-hand exposure to cutting-edge research in bio resource-based activities.
Insights from Industry Experts
Prof. Rajat Sandhir, Director of PI-RAHI, spoke about the growing need for smart and sustainable agriculture in today’s rapidly changing world. He detailed the summit’s objectives, stressing the importance of adopting user-friendly and environment-friendly technologies.
Mr. V. R. Lazaga, Vice Chairman of NEDAC and Executive. Secretary, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippines, highlighted NEDAC’s role in bringing together small rural producers to form large business ventures for exporting a range of agricultural products. Mr. Jyoti Saroop, Founder & Director of Unati Co-operative Marketing-cum-Processing Society Ltd., underscored the critical role of cooperatives in driving rural development.
Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director of CSIR-IHBT Palampur, presented the welcome address and elaborated on the institute’s bio resource-based programs, such as the Aroma Mission, Floriculture Mission, and Phytopharmaceutical Mission. These programs have successfully connected farmer clusters to industries, sustainably boosting the bio economy of the region./p>
Collaborative Efforts in Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Ms. Neha Arora, COO of the Northern Region S&T Cluster, discussed the impact of collaborative consortia in accelerating agricultural entrepreneurship. Mrs. Shailender Kaur (IFS), Director of Horticulture, Government of Punjab, praised the summit’s farmer-first approach, focusing on empowering farmers with innovative solutions.
The summit also witnessed the signing of a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NEDAC and PI-RAHI for joint capacity-building and tech deployment in rural agricultural communities.
The MoU sets the stage for several key activities, including:
- Joint capacity-building programs that will provide farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs with essential skills in areas like digital agriculture, sustainable farming techniques, and entrepreneurial management
- The development of a tech deployment strategy to introduce smart agricultural solutions such as drones, AI-powered farming tools, and precision agriculture systems in rural areas, thus improving efficiency and yields.
- Strategic partnerships with research institutions, universities, and industry players to ensure that FPOs have access to the latest developments in agricultural technology, while simultaneously fostering a supply chain ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.
Interactive Sessions and Field Visits
As part of the summit, participants took part in interactive sessions at iHub-AWaDH, where agri-tech leaders like Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Neelkanth Nirmalkar presented talks on the latest innovations in agriculture technology. The event also featured lab tours across IIT Ropar, providing a close look at the technological advancements that are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
A Global Vision: Cooperatives and Tech Solutions
In alignment with the United Nations’ 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, the summit embraced the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This vision was carried forward in the ongoing discussions and field visits at CSIR-IHBT Palampur, Unnati Cooperative, and NABI Mohali.
Participants were introduced to several technological innovations in agriculture, including drone technology, seed management, and climate resilience solutions. These tools are aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of farming practices, ensuring that rural farmers remain competitive in an evolving agricultural landscape.
Startup Challenge: Showcasing Innovative Solutions
A highlight of the summit was the Startup Challenge, held on the final day, where over 30 participants competed by presenting their innovative solutions to post-harvest challenges. The winners were selected based on their proposed solutions’ impact on the agricultural sector.
– 1st Place: Agro Stubble Management Pvt. Ltd. – Awarded ₹50,000 for their innovative approach to managing crop residue.
– 2nd Place: BuioYield Power Pvt. Ltd. – Awarded ₹30,000 for their contribution to sustainable farming.
– 3rd Place: Kabav BioSyzee Pvt. Ltd. – Recognized for their impactful work in post-harvest solutions.
The summit concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Jyoti Saroop, whose leadership at Unati Cooperative has created inclusive economic opportunities for farmers. The event set the stage for a future where technology, innovation, and cooperative models work hand-in-hand to drive rural economic development.
