National Agrotech Conclave 2023: Accelerating Farm Productivity and Sustainability
The Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA), in collaboration with the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, and in partnership with The Synthetic & Art Silk Mills’ Research Association (SASMIRA) and COE-Agrotech, successfully organized the “National Conclave on Agrotech – Accelerating Productivity of Agriculture & Horticulture Products” on October 6, 2023, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The event was graced by Rachna Shah, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, who highlighted the vital role of agriculture in the Indian economy. She emphasized the potential of Agrotextiles in addressing agricultural challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and limited arable land. Research indicates that Agrotextiles can significantly increase farm productivity, reduce water and fertilizer usage, and extend crop cycles.
Rajeev Saxena, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, noted India’s immense potential in the global Agrotextiles market, where India currently holds a 3% share. He announced quality control measures for Agrotextiles and research funding for innovative products. Additionally, the Ministry plans to establish a Climate Smart Agrotextile Demonstration Center in partnership with SASMIRA.
The event’s welcome address by Amit Agarwal, Chairman of ITTA, emphasized the objectives of the conclave, which included promoting awareness of the latest Agrotextile innovations, exploring investment and export opportunities, and creating a platform for industry collaboration.
P. Patel, Vice Chancellor of Navsari Agriculture University, emphasized the need for Agrotextile solutions to combat climate change-induced production losses and called for innovative products like biodegradable agro-fibre bags and super absorbent polymer fibers.
Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, discussed the role of Agrotextiles in addressing challenges faced by the agriculture sector due to climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity. He highlighted their potential to increase yields and reduce input costs.
Over 220 participants attended the conclave, including government officials, industry leaders, experts, and researchers. Two books, “CONCLAVE BOOKLET” by ITTA and “FIBRE TO FIELD: INDIAN AGROTECH INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITY” by Invest India, were also released during the conference.
The event featured interactive sessions and five technical sessions, covering topics such as market promotion, climate-smart Agrotextiles, raw materials and additives, sustainability, circular economy, and global benchmarks.
An exhibition showcasing various Agrotextile products and their applications provided networking opportunities and valuable insights to attendees.
The National Conclave on Agrotech served as a significant platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate and drive innovation in the field of Agrotextiles, with a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
