Guwahati News Desk: The a-IDEA Technology Business Incubator ICAR-NAARM of Hyderabad and Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART), ARIAS Society, Guwahati jointly organized “Farmer, FPO Startup Immersion programme” on at Auditorium of College of Veterinary Science of Assam Agricultural University at Khanapara in Guwahati City on March 2.
In the programme a total of 65 officials of FPOs, FPCs and Farmers participated actively which was supported by Krishak Bandhu group and sponsored by NABARD.
Chief Operating Officer, a-IDEA, NAARM briefed about the ‘Immersion Program’ to the audience and conveyed its objectives. This set the grounds for the program and he also highlighted to the audience about the incubation, acceleration, funding and investment opportunities with a-IDEA, NAARM.
Chief Guest of the programme, Shri Nitin Singh, Financial Service Specialist, APART in his address appreciated the initiative of a-IDEA TBI, ICAR-NAARM for connecting the startups in agriculture sector with the FPO, FPC and farmers of Assam through an immersion programme. He said that this kind of effort will certainly boost the morale of FPO and farmers in Northeast India.
Dr. M. P. Roniya, Retd. Joint Director of Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam described about the process of FPO formation and terms and conditions related to it. Dr. Putul Bhuyan, Manager ICCOA emphasized on role of ICCOA in promotion of FPOs in different districts of Assam.
Mr. Devashish Hazarika, Co-Founder of Ecogreen technologies cooperative society Pvt. Ltd. Startup of NEATEHUB, AAU pitched in front of FPOs in person for a possible collaboration with FPOs, at the end of the session four FPOs got interested in the solution and were ready to extend biofloc solution to farmers.
Startups of a-IDEA, NAARM presented their solutions to farmers; one of a-IDEA startups “The animal ICU” got recommendation from APART under Xamahar Scheme for expansion of their network in Assam. Out of 12 startups (8 online and 4 in person) presented their solutions to which many FPOs showed interest in using their solutions/ platforms. Now a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM will immerse FPOs and startups with an aim to promote the entrepreneurship and farmers in the country. All the FPOs will be on boarded and will be provided with an online platform to showcase their product/offering, connect with startups PAN India.
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad and Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, IAS, State Project Director, ARIAS Society, Assam appreciated the joint initiative and encouraged the team to go for next level.
Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Senior BDM, a-IDEA, NAARM coordinated the program and gave vote of thanks to all the guests, FPOs and startups.
