The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, diplomats, startups, and progressive farmers from across the country. The awards received an overwhelming response, recognizing outstanding contributions in four categories: Startup & Innovation Award, Women Agripreneur Award, Young Farmer Innovator Award, and Progressive Farming Excellence Award.

Dr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He emphasized that Indian farmers hold centuries of practical wisdom, and agricultural innovation must solve real challenges while delivering economic benefits. He stressed the need for location-specific farming tailored to agro-climatic conditions, resource availability, and market demand. Highlighting initiatives like the National Missions on Pulses, Oilseeds, and Cotton. He stated that demonstrations and field-level evidence are the most effective ways to encourage technology adoption. Finally, he underlined that market demand drives agricultural success, making quality improvement, value addition, and efficient marketing systems essential for long-term sustainability.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Roberto Carlos Papa, Agriculture Attaché, Embassy of Brazil in India, highlighted the strong and growing agricultural partnership between India and Brazil. Referring to farmers as the “real champions,” he applauded their resilience, commitment to food security, sustainability, and rural development. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in advancing innovation, agricultural trade, research, and sustainable farming practices.

Dr. Sharmila Oswal, Millet woman of India and sustainability expert and entrepreneur, spoke about the need for stable policies, stronger implementation of government schemes, better coordination among ministries, simplified organic certification, improved processing infrastructure, and greater support for millet growers, women entrepreneurs, and agri-startups. She emphasized that policy consistency and market access are essential for building a thriving agricultural startup ecosystem.

Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chair, Agribusiness Committee, PHDCCI, emphasized that India’s agricultural future depends on strengthening technology, improving extension services, reforming agricultural marketing, ensuring fair prices for farmers, and creating policies that make farming a profitable and respected profession. He urged greater collaboration between the government, industry, scientists, and farmers to achieve these goals.

Dr Jatinder Singh, DSG, PHDCCI, in his welcome speech emphasized that the awards were created to honor innovators, researchers, startups, and farmers whose work can be replicated nationwide. The initiative aims to promote knowledge sharing, collaboration between farmers and businesses, and sustainable models that strengthen India’s agricultural growth and rural economy. He further emphasized that farmers and field workers are the true heroes of Indian agriculture, as their continuous innovations in seeds, technologies, and practices play a vital role in ensuring food security and driving economic development.

The PHDCCI Agri-Business Awards 2026 reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, and farmer-centric development. The event concluded with a renewed commitment from government, industry, researchers, and farmers to work together towards building a resilient, technology-driven, and globally competitive agricultural ecosystem that contributes to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Spanning from 19th July to 25th July 2025, the outreach visits include interactive sessions with farmers, distribution of credit sanction letters, awareness drives focusing on financial inclusion, and promotion of government schemes tailored to the farming community. Through this Mega Outreach initiative, Bank of India aims to strengthen its bond with the agricultural sector, understand the evolving needs of farmers, and extend unwavering support through innovative and customized banking products and services.

The outreach program puts special emphasis on a wide range of agricultural and allied activities, including Kisan Credit Card (KCC) distribution and focused support for sectors such as SHG, dairy, poultry, fishery, and the financing of tractors and other agricultural implements. In addition, the Bank is facilitating credit for cold storage, Warehouse infrastructure and agro food processing units like Rice Mill, Pulse mill etc, aiming to promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance productivity, and encourage value addition across the farming sector.

The Bank’s programs during this period encompass seminars on digital banking, financial literacy camps, Agri clinics for agricultural finance, and special drives for enrolling beneficiaries under government-sponsored schemes such as Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Atmanirbhar Bharat Schemes and more.

Bank of India reaffirms its dedication to the nation’s farmers and pledges to continue its proactive role in supporting agricultural growth and rural prosperity.

श्री चौहान ने कहा कि भारत और ब्राजील कृषि क्षेत्र में मिलकर अनेक स्तरों पर सहयोग कर सकते हैं—खासकर सोयाबीन के उत्पादन और प्रोसेसिंग, मैकेनाइजेशन, और बेहतर बीज विकास के क्षेत्रों में। उन्होंने इस दिशा में आईसीएआर (भारतीय कृषि अनुसंधान परिषद) के साथ ब्राजील की रिसर्च एजेंसियों को मिलकर काम करने का सुझाव दिया।

सोया ऑइल इम्पोर्ट नहीं, भारत से निर्यात का लक्ष्य
श्री चौहान ने बताया कि भारत अभी ब्राजील से सोया तेल आयात करता है, लेकिन अब समय है कि हम मिलकर सोया प्रोसेसिंग प्लांट्स की स्थापना करें और भारत से भी निर्यात की संभावनाएं विकसित करें।

मैकेनाइजेशन और सिंचाई तकनीक से मिले नए आयाम
ब्राजील में खेती की पूरी प्रक्रिया 100% मैकेनाइज्ड है। चाहे कपास की कटाई हो या टमाटर की सिंचाई—हर कदम पर तकनीक का शानदार उपयोग हो रहा है। श्री चौहान ने बताया कि वहां एक मशीन के जरिए यूरिया और पानी का मिश्रण सीधे स्प्रिंकलर सिस्टम से पौधों तक पहुंचाया जाता है, जिससे कम पानी में अधिक उत्पादन संभव हो रहा है।

ब्राजील को भारत आने का न्योता
भारतीय कृषि को नई ऊंचाइयों पर ले जाने के लिए श्री चौहान ने ब्राजील के प्रतिनिधिमंडल को भारत आने और संयुक्त संभावनाएं तलाशने का आमंत्रण भी दिया। उन्होंने विश्वास जताया कि दोनों देश मिलकर तकनीकी सहयोग और व्यापारिक संबंधों को नई दिशा दे सकते हैं।

“वसुधैव कुटुंबकम” की भावना से कृषि सहयोग
शिवराज सिंह चौहान ने कहा, “प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेंद्र मोदी के नेतृत्व में भारत ने अपनी खाद्य सुरक्षा को सुनिश्चित किया है और अब हम दुनिया के कई देशों को एक्सपोर्ट भी कर रहे हैं। ब्राजील और भारत मिलकर वैश्विक खाद्य सुरक्षा में अहम भूमिका निभा सकते हैं।”

These technological innovations include remarkable developments such as AI-enabled robotic apple harvesters, advanced image-based sorting and grading systems for fruits like mangoes, and sensor-based monitoring mechanisms that incorporate blockchain technology. Researchers have also developed Internet of Things (IoT)-based intelligent monitoring systems for cold storage, digital twin technologies for real-time fruit quality monitoring, and even specialized solutions like a Phase Change Material-based energy-efficient vending cart for fruits and vegetables.

Drone technology has emerged as a particularly promising agricultural innovation. These unmanned aerial vehicles offer multiple advantages, including increased operational efficiency, significant cost reductions, and optimized resource utilization. Drones enable precise fertilizer and pesticide application, conserve water through ultra-low volume spraying, and critically, reduce human exposure to hazardous agricultural chemicals. Moreover, their adoption has the potential to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Recognizing the transformative potential of drone technology, the Government of India has launched several supportive initiatives. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is actively promoting drone adoption through the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM). This program provides financial assistance for drone demonstrations, supports individual drone ownership, and facilitates the establishment of Custom Hiring Centers that offer drone services to farmers on a rental basis.

A particularly innovative initiative is the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, which specifically targets women’s empowerment in agriculture. With a substantial outlay of Rs. 1,261 crores for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, the scheme provides central financial assistance covering 80% of drone costs, up to Rs. 8 lakhs per drone. The ambitious program aims to distribute 15,000 drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), with the first phase in 2024-25 targeting the distribution of drones to 3,090 SHGs. Lead Fertilizer Companies have already procured and distributed the first 500 drones, marking a promising start to this transformative initiative.

These comprehensive efforts underscore India’s commitment to agricultural modernization. By embracing cutting-edge technologies, investing in innovative solutions, and supporting grassroots entrepreneurship, particularly among women, the country is positioning its agricultural sector for enhanced productivity, efficiency, and sustainable growth.