Guwahati, March 22: The Vibha Vani Assam State Conclave 2.0 on Agriculture Entrepreneurship: Prospects of Livelihood Opportunities and Challenges, jointly organized by SIPRD Assam, concluded successfully at the NEDFI Auditorium, Guwahati. Held on March 21 and 22, 2025, the two-day conclave brought together policymakers, industry experts, academicians, entrepreneurs, NGOs, and FPOs to discuss the future of agricultural entrepreneurship, financing, and technological advancements.
The event featured a series of technical sessions, covering topics such as agri-entrepreneurship in Assam, financing the agricultural value chain, emerging agricultural technologies, IoT applications in farming, and opportunities in food processing. Distinguished speakers, including Mr. Loken Das (CGM, NABARD, Regional Office, Guwahati), Mr. Pabitra Kalita, Joint Secretary SIPRD, Dr BK Yadav, Professor and In charge, NIFTEM-T, Prafulla Ch. Saikia (Former Additional Director, Department of Industries & Commerce), Tiranga Bharatiya Bora (Consultant, APEDA) and other experts from different technological/financial/facilitating institutions loke NECTAR, NIF, APEDA, NABARD etc provided deep insights into sustainable agricultural growth and rural development.
The two day Agri Entrepreneurship Workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Munindra Sharma, IAS, SIPRD on 21st March in presence of Dr. Sriparna Bhuyan Baruah, Advisor, NEHHDC, NP Rajive, Executive Director, VVI, Dr. Jiban Ch. Phukan, President, VVI-Assam
A key highlight of the conclave was the active participation of students, NGOs, Agri entrepreneurs, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from across the region. Their contributions in event coordination, logistics, and audience engagement played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event. In recognition of their efforts, participants were felicitated with certificates. Notably, Nabanita Hazarika from Assam Royal Global University(RGU) and Harshita Bhagawati from Headline8 served as event anchors, ensuring seamless proceedings.
The discussions also delved into the development of agro estates and evolving agro-export trends, with special focus on the impact of global policy shifts, including the implications of Trump 2.0. Organizers emphasized the importance of collaboration between policymakers, industry leaders, and young professionals in driving innovation and fostering sustainable growth in the agriculture sector.
The conclave concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with experts and policymakers. The event marked a significant step toward strengthening agricultural entrepreneurship in Assam and the Northeast, paving the way for future initiatives in rural development and agri-business expansion.