The Bengal Chamber of commerce & Industry organized 3rd Edition of Rural Connect 2021 on 18th & 19th February 2021 through online platform. The objective of the Rural Connect 2021 was to address the area such as technology, entrepreneurship, advisory services, start-ups and woman contribution in Indian rural space. 

The Inaugural session of the programme was graced by 

• Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, National Centre for Management of Agricultural Extension (MANAGE), 
• Mr. Bhupen V Dubey, Global CEO, Advanta Seeds, 
• Dr. A. R. Khan, Chief General Manager, NABARD.  

All the three speakers were addressed the modernization of Indian Agriculture, role of Government, importance of technology driven training and why forecasting is crucial for agriculture production. The inaugural session was moderated by Mr. Jayanta Chakraboty, Chairperson – Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber.   

In the next session, “Farm-to-Fork- New Age of Agriculture – Decade’s Vision – Tech Start-up in Agriculture”, was graced by  

• Mr. Kunal Prasad, Co-Founder & COO,  CropIn Technology, 
• Mr. Shashank Kumar,  Founder & CEO , DeHaat, 
• Mr. Rishi Nathany, Head-Business Development & Marketing, MCX India Ltd.  

The session was moderated by Mr. Hemendra Mathur, Venture Capitalist, Bharat Innovation Fund. This panel discussion highlighted the importance of technology in improving various agricultural activities in Indian economy. This session also provided knowledge on technological applications in agriculture, latest agricultural technological innovations from the Start-ups who are working in this sector.   

On the Day 2 of the programme, the 1st session was dedicated to promote the contribution of women in Indian Agriculture and Rural Development. The Chamber along with PRADAN, felicitate few women-led groups from the districts such as Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram. 

The sessions promoted the remarkable work done by the woman led groups and provide a platform to raise their voices. These voices need to be heard at both the policy and implementation levels if we are to realize the dream of a progressive India. Women farmers in India perform most of the big farming jobs, from sowing to harvesting, yet their access to resources is less than their male counterparts. Closing this gender gap is essential in order to accelerate the pace of growth in the agriculture sector. 

In the next session of the Conclave, focusing on Agri inputs and advisory services, organized the panel discussion on “Agriculture Scenario & Practices – Role of Advisory and Agri-inputs”. The panel discussion was graced by 

• Dr. Suhrid Barik Scientist - R&D, South Asia, Corteva Agri Science, 
• Mr. S. K. Gupta , Former CEO – J.K. Agri Genetics Limited, 
• Mr. Siddesh Ramasubramanian, General Manager, Actuary, Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited
• Mr. G. P. Praveen, Assistant General Manager, NABARD 

The session was moderated by Mr. Jayanta Chakraboty, Chairperson – Agriculture & Rural Development Committee, The Bengal Chamber.  

The panel discussion highlighted the Increasing demand of innovation in agriculture and rural development declining last mile delivery to farmers and rural entrepreneurs has put up a pressure on the public extension system to perform beyond its designated role of disseminating information on technologies. The new role of demands organizing user/producer groups, linking farmers to markets, engaging in research planning and technology selection, enable changes in policies and linking producers to a range of other support and service networks. But however, the Indian extension system has been considerably weakened over the last two decades in terms of human resources and capacity. Huge vacancy levels in public extension system particularly in remote and disadvantaged regions have further constrained the extension support and services to farming community. 

In the valedictory session of the conclave, we organized panel discussion on recent policy changes in Indian Agriculture and their impact in farmers, private players as well as Government. The panel was graced by 

• Prof. Vasant P. Gandhi, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA)
• Mr. Ajay VirJakhar, Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj
• Mr. Sanjiv Rangrass, Group Head - R&D, Sustainability & Projects, ITC Limited 

The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. V. R. Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India. The panel discussion highlighted about the existing policy and the obstacles, APMC Act and also the global aspects in Indian Agriculture.  

Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, at the end of the conclave summarize the all sessions and announced about the Bengal Chamber handholding support policy for Farmer Producers Organization.