By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 10: A Winter School on “Contemporary Agripreneurship Venture for the Empowerment of Rural Youth in the North East Hill Region” was successfully held at the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region, Umiam, on Monday. Funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the three-week programme (February 18 – March 10, 2025) provided an intensive platform for capacity building and skill development among young agripreneurs and professionals.
The Winter School was coordinated under the guidance of the Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Technology Assessment & Capacity Building (DTAC), ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Dr BP Singh, who served as the Course Director. The programme witnessed participation from multiple states across India, including Assam, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
The training comprised of expert lectures, interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, and exposure visits, covering various aspects of agripreneurship, rural business opportunities, and value chain development. Key sessions focused on effective communication strategies, value chain analysis of high-value crops, natural farming, aquaculture, digital agribusiness models, agritech startups, financial planning for agribusiness, and women empowerment through entrepreneurship. Participants also had hands-on exposure to food processing units, bio-pesticide laboratories, and agro-tourism models to enhance their practical understanding.
The Winter School also featured special sessions by eminent experts from ICAR institutes, IIT Guwahati, NDRI Karnal, IVRI Izatnagr, IARI New Delhi, IIM Shillong, CAU Umiam, NRC on Pig, CTCRI, and NINFET Kolkata, as well as industry professionals and successful agripreneurs. Exposure visits to Mawlynnong, Mawklot FPC, Shillong Food Processing Centre, and CPRI Shillong provided participants with first-hand insights into agribusiness innovations and value-addition opportunities in the Northeast.
The programme concluded with a valedictory session, where participants shared their experiences and expressed gratitude for the enriching learning opportunity. The Winter School is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening agripreneurship initiatives in India, particularly in the North East Hill Region, by equipping rural youth with the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude and confidence to establish their own ventures.