The Uttar Pradesh Agro Pradarshini 2024, held from December 18th to 20th, 2024, at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, was a grand celebration of innovation, policy, and collaboration within the agricultural sector. Organized by ASSOCHAM, the event served as an exceptional platform uniting diverse stakeholders, including farmers, startups, policymakers, and industry leaders, to collaboratively address critical challenges while exploring ground-breaking opportunities in agriculture and its allied industries.

The exhibition commenced with a ceremonial lamp lighting, symbolizing the inauguration of a transformative era in agricultural innovation and sustainable practices. Meerut Udyami Foundation, as an official partner for startup engagement, played a crucial role in shaping the event by actively promoting startups and entrepreneurial initiatives, reinforcing their commitment to fostering innovation and empowering agripreneurs.

This landmark event marked a significant step forward in driving progressive dialogue, showcasing advanced technologies, and paving the way for a resilient agricultural future.

Dignitaries and Speeches

The Inaugural Session of the event, held from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, set the stage for impactful discussions with insightful addresses from prominent dignitaries:

• Welcome Address: Dr. Lalit Khaitan, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM Uttar Pradesh Development Council and CMD of Radico Khaitan Ltd., extended a warm welcome to all, emphasizing the collaborative efforts driving Uttar Pradesh’s development.
• Opening Address: Shri Anupam Mittal, Co-Chairperson of ASSOCHAM Uttar Pradesh Development Council, shared his vision for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the state.
• Industry Address:
  1. Shri Nitin Seth, Chairperson of ASSOCHAM MSME Development Council and Vice Chairman of G D Foods (TOPS), highlighted the critical role of MSMEs in shaping the state’s economy.
  2. Shri Suman Saurabh, Managing Director & CEO of Utkarsh CoreInvest Limited, emphasized financial inclusion as a key driver of rural development.
• Special Addresses:
  1. Shri Ravindra, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, underscored ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture and empower farmers.
  2. Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary for Agriculture Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, discussed innovative marketing strategies to boost farmer incomes.
  3. Shri Neeraj Singh, Socialist and Politician, elaborated on sustainable agricultural practices and their socio-economic impact.
• Guest of Honour: Shri Surya Pratap Shahi, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, reinforced the state’s commitment to fostering innovation and addressing key challenges faced by farmers.
• Chief Guest: Shri Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, delivered a compelling keynote, describing farmers as the “invaluable heritage of the nation.” He advocated for equipping them with advanced tools and organic fertilizers to promote sustainable farming practices.
• Vote of Thanks: Shri Hasan Yaqoob, Co-Chairperson of ASSOCHAM Uttar Pradesh State Development Council, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and stakeholders for their contributions to the event’s success.

This session underscored the collective resolve to address agricultural challenges and leverage innovation for holistic development.

Event Objectives and Themes

The Pradarshini aimed to create a collaborative environment for addressing key agricultural issues. The primary themes of the event included:

• Promoting sustainable farming practices and the adoption of modern technologies.
• Strengthening collaborations between farmers, innovators, and policymakers to foster growth.
• Spreading awareness about advanced agricultural tools and practices that empower farmers to achieve higher productivity and profitability.

Activities and Exhibitions

The event showcased over 500 exhibitors, ranging from agri-tech startups to manufacturers of advanced farming machinery. With over 30,000 visitors attending, the exhibition provided hands-on experiences, including:

• Live demonstrations of precision farming equipment and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Workshops for farmers to learn about emerging technologies and techniques.
• Networking sessions connecting startups, industry leaders, and policymakers.

Startup Pitching Competition

One of the standout events at the Uttar Pradesh Agro Pradarshini 2024 was the Startup Pitching Competition, powered by Meerut Udyami Foundation. This initiative created a platform for entrepreneurs to present ground breaking solutions aimed at addressing challenges in agriculture and allied sectors.

Format and Rules: The competition was designed to ensure fairness and inclusivity, adhering to a structured multi-stage process:

• Initial Shortlisting: An Internal Committee of industry experts, academics, and successful entrepreneurs reviewed and evaluated applications based on innovation, feasibility, and scalability. This rigorous screening process ensured that the most promising startups advanced to the next stage.
• Final Pitch Round: Shortlisted startups presented their ideas in a physical pitching session at the event.
  1. Presentation Format: Each participant was given 4 minutes to pitch their idea, followed by 1 minute for Q&A with the jury.
• Jury Composition: The jury panel featured an esteemed line-up of five accomplished professionals from diverse sectors, each contributing their expertise in entrepreneurship, agriculture, and technology:
  
  
  1. Shri Hasan Yaqoob, Co-Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Uttar Pradesh State Development Council, brought a wealth of experience in fostering policy-driven initiatives for economic growth.
  
  
  2. Shri Abhishek Tiwari, Program Director, KPMG India, enriched the panel with his expertise in program management and strategic consulting.
  
  
  3. Shri Sudhanshu Rastogi, CEO of A S R Ventures Pvt. Ltd., contributed his entrepreneurial vision and leadership acumen.
  
  
  4. Dr. Madhukar Varshney, a visionary Biomedical Engineer and founder of NimbleQ, is transforming education and entrepreneurship in India through innovative programs impacting millions of students, teachers, and schools nationwide.

This distinguished panel played a pivotal role in assessing and mentoring the participants, ensuring a robust and insightful evaluation process.

Winners and Prizes: The competition concluded with three exceptional startups being recognized for their innovative contributions:

• 1st Prize (₹50,000): EF Polymer India – A sustainable agricultural firm specializing in products that optimize water and fertilizer usage.
• 1st Runner-Up (₹30,000): Upjao Agrotech Pvt. Ltd. – An AI-driven platform revolutionizing grain quality analysis using UpjaoNetTM to assess multiple parameters in under 30 seconds.
• 2nd Runner-Up (₹20,000): Paper Pro (M-Lense) – A dairy-tech startup introducing rapid milk adulteration testing solutions.

Special Acknowledgments: The event was graced by Shri Baldev Singh Aulakh, Hon’ble State Minister for Agriculture Education and Research, who commended the creativity and dedication of the participants. He emphasized the importance of fostering entrepreneurship to tackle the pressing challenges in agriculture.

This competition not only highlighted innovative solutions but also underscored the importance of collaboration between startups, industry leaders, and government bodies in building a sustainable agricultural future.

Day 2: Podcast Framework

The second day of the event focused on building collaborations and expanding possibilities. Meerut Udyami Foundation, in partnership with Your Agri Story, outlined a roadmap for a podcast series to amplify the stories of agripreneurs and innovators. This initiative aims to inspire and educate by showcasing real-world success stories and tackling pressing agricultural challenges, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue within the ecosystem.

Day 3: Bharat@100 Hackathon

The third day was dedicated to celebrating and fostering young entrepreneurial talent through a dynamic startup competition. A total of 17 teams from prominent universities like Sharda University and Amity University, Lucknow, participated in this engaging event.

The top three winners were:

• 1st Prize: Amity University, Lucknow
• 2nd Prize: Sharda University, Greater Noida
• 3rd Prize (Tie b/w 2): Amity University, Lucknow & ITM Gorakhpur.

The competition was enriched by an interactive workshop conducted in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Mukesh Rawat from Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET). The Co Conveners of this event were Dr. Madhuri Gupta, CEO, Meerut Udyami Foundation, Hosted by Meerut Institute of Technology (MIT) & Prof. Dr. Mukesh Rawat from Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET).  This session focused on entrepreneurship in agriculture, equipping participants with hands-on skills and actionable insights.

This competition was judged by Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor at IET Lucknow, a distinguished researcher in RF & Microwave Engineering with over 100 published papers in leading journals, including IEEE. His expertise spans high-speed internet technologies, radiobiology, and advanced microwave systems design & by Dr. Pawan Tiwari, Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering & Technology at Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow. Dr. Tiwari is a renowned academic leader with extensive expertise in engineering education and research. His contributions span advanced technology applications and curriculum innovation, making him a pivotal figure in shaping future engineers and technologists.

The day concluded with participants and stakeholders reflecting on the importance of nurturing talent and fostering innovation, aligning perfectly with the vision of the event.

Outcomes

The Uttar Pradesh Agro Pradarshini 2024 was a resounding success, fostering connections and driving innovation in the agricultural sector.

• Prominent Collaborations: Meerut Udyami Foundation came into contact with over 100 prominent startups in agriculture and allied sectors. These interactions opened avenues for mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships.
• Industry Connections: The event facilitated meaningful collaborations with industry leaders, startups, and policymakers, creating a robust ecosystem for innovation and growth.
• Empowered Stakeholders: Farmers, entrepreneurs, and students gained hands-on exposure to emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and entrepreneurial strategies.

Meerut Udyami Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to ASSOCHAM for the opportunity to serve as a partner in this prestigious event. We also thank the esteemed jury, dignitaries, and all participants who contributed to making the event a remarkable success.

The Uttar Pradesh Agro Pradarshini 2024 was not just an event but a significant step forward in transforming the agricultural landscape of Uttar Pradesh and beyond. By uniting key stakeholders—farmers, startups, policymakers, and industry leaders—it created a platform for meaningful collaboration, dialogue, and action.

The event exemplified the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in addressing critical agricultural challenges, from sustainability to technology adoption. The Startup Pitching Competition alone highlighted the potential of grassroots innovation, bringing forward ground breaking solutions that can drive real-world impact.

Meerut Udyami Foundation’s active participation reinforced its commitment to fostering agripreneurs and empowering rural communities. Through interactions with over 100 startups and industry leaders, the foundation strengthened its role as a catalyst for change, bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern innovation.

Furthermore, the event emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent, as seen in the engagement with student participants and future entrepreneurs. It inspired attendees to rethink agricultural practices, adopt sustainable strategies, and build a resilient ecosystem ready for future challenges.

As the curtain falls on this landmark event, the journey toward sustainable and technology-driven agriculture has only begun. Uttar Pradesh Agro Pradarshini 2024 leaves behind a legacy of innovation, empowerment, and hope for a brighter agricultural future.

Meerut Udyami Foundation is an Agri-business, Food and Environmental Sustainability Incubator hosted by Meerut Institute of Technology and officially recognized by Startin UP, the Uttar Pradesh Startup Program. It is dedicated to socio-economic upliftment through innovation, empowering Start-ups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and entrepreneurs across sectors like Food Technology, Agriculture, and Environment Technology.

With a mission to build a self-reliant ecosystem, the foundation supports startups through mentoring, market access, funding opportunities, and skill development, fostering a culture of sustainable entrepreneurship.