“The technological advancements can come in handy for revolutionizing the agricultural sector and it is the need of the hour that the farming community leverages the immense benefits that the cutting edge technology has to offer.” These views were expressed here today at the auditorium of the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management by the Cooperation and Jails Minister, Punjab, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on the occasion of inaugurating a one day workshop on the ‘Agri Start-Ups: Role of Innovation and Technology in Cooperative Development in India’. The workshop was organized by the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management, Chandigarh, NABARD, KRIBHCO and HAFED.In his address, the minister further said that the maximized use of the technological advancements would lead to the increased production and the farmers would also stand benefitted from the new era technology in their new start-ups. Divulging more, he also said that the enterprising farmers would be provided info and all technical know-how related to the start-ups by the Cooperative Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) of Punjab so as to ensure that the farmers take the vocation of agriculture to an altogether new level from technological point of view thus further strengthening the cooperative movement. The minister also termed Cooperative Sector, Agri Start-Ups as well as the Farmers, significant factors complimenting each other to ensure economic well being of Punjab.
He appreciated the role of Regional Institute of Cooperative Management, Chandigarh for organizing this workshop which will help the farmers of the regional in overall development.During the technical session, Arpita Bhattacharjee, Project Director Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Mr. Aman Keshav, Agri Advisor Dr. Rajinder Singh, Mr. Jaswinder Singh, DGM Union Bank of India Mr. Pradeep Kumar Srivastav, Deputy Director of the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management Mr. J.E. Patki also presented their views and emphasized the importance of start-ups in today’s era.The Director of the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management Mr. R.K. Sharma welcomed the minister and other dignitaries and he also emphasized the role of Agri Start-ups in the overall development of farmers and creation of extra employment opportunities. The programme was compeered by Dr. J.S.Kalra, Faculty Member.Among others present on the occasion included the Member of Parliament from Khadoor Sahib Mr. Jasbir Singh Gill, Secretary, Agriculture Department, Punjab, Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu as Chief Guest and Special Guest, and Chief General Manager NABARD/Punjab Mr. Jotinder Pal Singh Bindra besides other dignitaries from office of Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab, PUNCOFED, Punjab, Managing Director, HAFED, Director, Agriculture Department, Punjab, CGM, Union Bank of India etc.