International Conference on Agribusiness Management - Opportunities and Challenges
11-Oct-2014
A three-day International Conference on Agribusiness Management-`Opportunities and Challenges’ was held in the Campus with 200 delegates including 35 international delegates from 3 countries taking part in the Conference. Dr. Chowdappa P., Director, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, inaugurating the programme, spoke about the shift from agriculture to agribusiness, attracting young stars towards agribusiness by making agribusiness a profitable venture.
Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director, Agribusiness Centre, MANAGE, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, was the keynote speaker for the programme. Dr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman, Bhandary Foundation, in his presidential address spoke about the culture in agribusiness. He gave many examples of his life to define the culture in agribusiness. Dr. Umesh M. Bhushi, Principal, gave the welcome address, Dr A. P. Achar, Director, Department of Business Administration, gave the overview of the conference. The international conference was organised by the Department of Business Administration in association with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad and the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod, supported this conference as knowledge partner.
A cultural extravaganza after the formal programme was held for the participants of the Conference where Sahyadrians and delegates showcased their talent in vocal music, instrumental music and dance. The aim of the conference was to explore and map various opportunities and challenges for agribusiness in developing economies including India in the internationally integrated and globalized economic environment.
EMINENT EXPERTS ADDRESS OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
On the second day of the International Conference on Agribusiness Management, Mr. H. S. Krishna Murthy addressed the topic on `Agri Entrepreneurship’ along with skill development. Dr. Maheshwarappa, CPCRI, Kasargod, was the moderator for the session. Dr. Manjunath, Director, SKDRDP took up the second session on `Retaining Youth in Agriculture and Women in Agribusiness.’ He spoke about the importance of family structure in agriculture and stressed on the point that youth today are no more interested in agriculture and also the hardships the Indian farmers go through as the returns in farming is too far and too less. The session was moderated by Dr. Udayachandra, Professor, SDM, Ujire. The third session was on `Infrastructural and Institutional Framework of Agribusiness Management’ which was delivered by Dr. Philip, Director, Department of Master of Business Administration, Kerala Agricultural University. He emphasized on the management skills that are required in agribusiness management. He made a special mention of communication skills, analytical skills, computer skills and critical thinking which is imperative for any manager in agribusiness. He said that an individual should have both; aptitude and attitude to serve in rural areas. Institutions should foster case method of learning rather than lecture method and the faculties should have expertise and industry exposure in addition to mentoring students. The session was moderated by Dr. M. M. Bagali, Professor, Jain University, Bangalore.
Mr. Arunkumar Khannur, Chairman and CEO of ISQT Process and Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, spoke on `Agricultural Marketing-Domestic and International Agricultural Trade and Marketing Policies. He enlightened the audience on the use of technology which he believes can help farmers to eliminate middleman. He stressed that, agricultural marketing needs to be reoriented to respond to the market need. Delegates then presented their research papers after the sessions by the eminent experts.
On the final and concluding day of the three-day International Conference on Agribusiness Management, Mr. Mahadevaiah, Former Deputy Director, C.F.T.R.I, Mysore, engaged an interesting session on `Processing of Fruits and Vegetables for Value Addition.’ He spoke about the processing of various fruits and vegetables and the availability of market and technology for the same. The session was moderated by Dr. Sandeep. Dr. Allen Pereira, Former Director, National Institute of Bank Management then delivered the final session on `Agriculture services: Finance, Insurance and Extension.’ Delegates then presented their research papers after the sessions by the eminent experts.
Dr. L. C. Soans, Soans Farm, Moodbidri, was the Chief Guest for the Valedictory function which was presided over by Dr. Umesh M. Bhushi, Principal, Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangalore. Policy makers, financial institutions supporting agribusiness’ Non-governmental organizations, experts from the industry, academicians and researchers from the related areas and students from related streams participated in this conference. All the papers accepted for presentation in the conference will be published in the form of a book with ISBN Number. 15 best selected papers will be published in ITIHAS – The Journal of Indian Management which is internally indexed and listed in EBSCO Publishing.
