Delegates from Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal Explore Millet Innovations at ICAR-NAARM's a-IDEA

Under the International Exchange Program facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the framework of Asia-Africa South Cooperation, a significant event unfolded at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research (ICAR-IIMR). Delegates from Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Nepal were hosted at the Agri-Business Incubation Center for Development of Entrepreneurship in Agriculture (a-IDEA), a wing of ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NAARM).

The purpose of the visit was to expose the international participants to the dynamic landscape of millet production, processing, and value chain development. The delegates lauded the efforts of ICAR and specifically ICAR-NAARM for their initiatives, especially highlighting a-IDEA's role in nurturing agricultural and agri-tech startups.

Interactive Sessions and Insights

During the visit, officials from ICAR-NAARM and a-IDEA engaged in interactive sessions with the visiting delegation. Dr. A. Dhandapani, Head of Information and Communication Management at ICAR-NAARM, provided an overview of the institute and conducted a session on the Basic Principles of Field Experimentation & Statistical Tools. This session aimed to impart crucial knowledge on research methodologies in agriculture.

Dr. N.A. Vijay Avinashilingam, Additional CEO of a-IDEA, highlighted the impact of various programs and initiatives of a-IDEA, showcasing successful startups that have significantly contributed to the prosperity of farmers. The visiting delegates had the opportunity to interact with these startups, gaining insights into their business models and innovative products.

The delegates also toured the a-IDEA facilities, including incubation spaces and prototype showcases. This exposure aimed at fostering potential collaborations between the visiting nations and a-IDEA for the mutual benefit of agricultural development.

Dr. B. Ganesh Kumar, Principal Scientist & Head of HRM Division at ICAR-NAARM, extended gratitude to the visiting delegates, acknowledging the importance of international cooperation in advancing agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.