The North News
New Delhi, October 30
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) convened the Agri Inputs (AI) Summit 2025 in New Delhi on Thursday, bringing together senior leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss strategies for advancing India’s agricultural sector through technology, innovation, and private sector collaboration. Opening the summit, Ajai Rana, Chairman of the CII Northern Regional Committee on Agriculture and Managing Director of Savannah Seeds Pvt Ltd, stressed the need to fast-track agricultural growth by adopting advanced seed technologies and strengthening private sector participation.
He noted that while agriculture employs nearly 46% of India’s workforce, its contribution to GDP remains modest. Citing the surge in hybrid corn adoption—from 15–20% to nearly 90%— as proof of technology-led success, Mr Rana also raised concern over India’s decline from a net exporter to a net importer of cotton, calling for renewed efforts to boost production and reclaim competitiveness in textile exports.
“Achieving Viksit Bharat (Developed India) is possible only through Viksit Krishi (Developed Agriculture),” he remarked.
Sanjay Chhabra, Co-Chairman of the CII Northern Regional Committee on Agriculture and Executive Director & President, SFS, DCM Shriram Ltd, described agriculture as one of India’s most debated yet least reformed sectors. He cited outdated regulations as key barriers to innovation and urged the establishment of a National Agriculture Council to harmonise policies between the Centre and states.
Mr Chhabra called for recognising agriculture as a revenue-generating industry, not just a subsistence occupation, and encouraged startups to deepen scientific engagement rather than merely eliminating middlemen.
In his address, Dr R. G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech Ltd, underscored the importance of industry-led modernisation to ensure India keeps pace with nations such as China. He described agri-input chemicals as “plant medicines” vital for crop health and productivity.
While India has achieved food security, Dr Agarwal said nutritional security remains a challenge, urging greater private sector participation in technology sharing and evidence-based policy reforms to uplift rural incomes.
Delivering a special address, Dr Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Director (Commercial) at the National Seeds Corporation Ltd, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, called for a balanced approach that integrates traditional wisdom with modern science. Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision of “Beej se Bazaar Tak” (From Seed to Market), he highlighted the four Bs — Beej (Seed), Beema (Insurance), Bank (Credit), and Bazaar (Market) — as pillars of a sustainable agri-ecosystem.
“Quality seed is the foundation of progress, and access to modern technology is every farmer’s right,” Dr Sahoo said, urging collective efforts to empower small and marginal farmers.
The summit concluded with a commitment to create a resilient, future-ready, and sustainable agricultural ecosystem driven by innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration across sectors.
