Calling all Future Agri-Preneurs

In the first generation work-force the desire to go back to the roots is a common one. Many of us desire to go back to agriculture, but could not take the risk of venturing out of our current comfort zone. Food still remains the central idea for entrepreneurship. I am sure all of us know some one who wants to open a restaurant or cloud kitchen or catering services or start a healthy food business or create new awareness about organic food.

In our career transition conversations, we have met successful business leaders passionate about food and agriculture leaving their corporate jobs and starting the journey as Agriculture and Food Entrepreneurs, committed to make a difference. The transition stories are truly inspiring.?Agripreneurs are vital for the sustainability and growth of the agriculture sector, as they introduce new ideas, technologies and business models that can lead to increased productivity,?profitability, and environmental stewardship in farming and agribusiness.?

Skills and Competencies developed during the corporate stint come into play when one decides to opt to be agripreneur.Successful?Agripreneurs are able to identify market trends, consumer preferences, and pricing strategies, product positioning and creating demand for the products. Agripreneurs in supply chain management are streamlining farm to family movement of farm produce with minimum change of hands ensuring the farmers get the price they truly deserve. Agripreneurs soociated with organic farming are creating demand for organic produce and ensuring people who opt for organic food have access to them. We have agri-prenuers who are now using green innovation in agriculture and?forestry to save endangered, birds, bees and animals.

Sustainable Agriculture is becoming the need of the hour and there is increased awareness around soil degradation, health hazard, depletion of nutrients in soil, declining water levels. Agriculture is no more just the farmers domain. Professionals from all fields are now finding agriculture to be their passion and investing in lands. The rise of agripreneurs is all time high.

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Farmers are now much more open to adopting sustainable farming practices that minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reduce soil erosion and improve water management.

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With new technologies of GPS, remote sensing, data analytics farmers can now opt for Precision Agriculture , precisely targeting the application of resource minimising waste, increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact of agricultural activities. There is clear demand for knowledge of environment, science and technology for new age agriculture.

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Organic Farming, Agroforestry, Regenerative Agriculture, Agro-ecology have huge potential of expansion and wealth generation and is attracting both agriculture enthusiasts and environment conservationists. Although it is early stage, there is visible trend of educated and qualified professionals opting for agriculture as career.

?Livestock production can have significant environmental impact. There is growing interest in sustainable livestock management practices focusing on animal welfare, efficient feed utilisation, manure management and reducing greenhouse as emissions from livestock operations.

?Emerging technologies such as sensor based systems, robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning are now being applied in agriculture. These technologies help optimise resource use, monitor crop health and reduce inputs, thereby making farming more efficient and environmentally friendly. Agriculture engineering and scientists will be lucrative options for engineers and scientists interested in farming, agri products , dairy, dairy products.

We have enough and more opportunities emerging for Agriculture , making it very attractive for entrepreneurs to venture into.