ICRISAT

Day 4 | #ISSCA–#ITEC International Training Course on “Agri-Entrepreneurship Training for Women and Youth – Small-Scale Food Processing Enterprises” supported by Ministry of External Affairs, India

Yesterday, participants of the ISSCA–ITEC training program, organized by ICRISAT's Dryland Academy, visited Nutrihub (@nutrihubtbi) at ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research (@MilletsNews) and a-IDEA (@aIDEA_NAARM) at ICAR–National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (@NaarmIcar), Hyderabad, India.

Dr Johnson Stanley, Chief Executive Officer of Nutrihub, highlighted the organization's role in supporting millet-based startups and #agripreneurship. Mr Sai Prakash M, Program Manager, discussed #millet value chain development and emerging business opportunities, while Mr Israel Raj Alladi, Associate Manager, presented innovations in millet-based products, packaging solutions and future prospects for #foodprocessing. Participants also toured the Center of Excellence (#CoE) and Common Facility Centre (#CFC) to explore facilities supporting millet processing and product development.

The a-IDEA team, comprising Dr Raman Meenakshi Sundaram, President, a-IDEA and Director, ICAR–NAARM; Dr Ranjit Kumar, CEO; and Dr Pooja S Bhat, Project Manager, engaged with participants in discussions on agribusiness entrepreneurship and #incubation initiatives, followed by a showcase of startup products.

Organized by ICRISAT's Dryland Academy, the visits provided participants with practical insights into millet-based food innovation, value chain development and agribusiness incubation, highlighting opportunities for product development, market linkages and small-scale food enterprises.

Day 3 | #ISSCA–#ITEC International Training Course on “Agri-Entrepreneurship Training for Women and Youth – Small-Scale Food Processing Enterprises”

On 4 November 2026, the training brought together experts and food #entrepreneurs for demonstrations and interactive sessions focused on gender-inclusive agripreneurship, enterprise development and value-added food products.

Prof. Surya Rathore, Principal Scientist and Former Head, ICAR–NAARM (@NaarmIcar, discussed the barriers faced by women in agripreneurship, inclusive business models and leadership.

Ms Palak Arora, Founder of #SatGuruSuperfoods and MILLIUM, shared her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting opportunities in millet processing, product development and marketing, while showcasing her products.

Ms Preeti Deshmukh, Founder of #FoodNest, spoke about food enterprise development, recipe innovation and scaling up production, complemented by a showcase of millet-based snacks and cookies.

The sessions encouraged participants to exchange ideas and explore practical approaches to building successful food enterprises.

A cooking demonstration led by Mr Syambabu Vannapuralu and Ms Vijayanjali Vinti, Founders of Millet Chef, featured a range of millet-based breakfast preparations. Dr Himanshu Pathak (@HPathakOfficial), Director General, ICRISAT, also interacted with the startup founders, learning about their entrepreneurial journeys and experiences.

Taking Fertilizer Advisory Innovations Closer to Farmers in Southern Ethiopia!*

ICRISAT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and its development partners, including Precision Development, People In Need, Inter Aid France and Sodo Catholic, alongside Self Help Africa, Farm Africa and ERSHA, is conducting a series of farmer field days across Southern Ethiopia from 4th to 6th November 2026,

The field days aim to promote innovative, cost-effective approaches to soil health management and fertilizer application by raising awareness, demonstrating practical solutions and encouraging farmers to adopt science-based fertilizer advisory recommendations for improved productivity.

A key innovation being popularized is the AFER_LERSHA (Soil for Farm) Telegram Bot, a digital advisory application that provides farmers with information and recommendations on appropriate fertilizer use based on their specific farming needs.

Through these innovations, *farmers are achieving better yields at reduced costs* by making informed decisions, optimizing fertilizer application and using available resources more efficiently.

By bringing research-driven solutions, digital technologies and practical advisory services closer to farming communities, the initiative seeks to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen livelihoods and build more resilient farming systems.

Strengthening partnerships for agricultural development in Odisha.

Today, the ICRISAT delegation, including Dr Gajanan Sawargaonkar, Dr Rohan Khopade and Dr Dnyaneshwar Deshmukh, met Dr Poma Tudu, IAS, the newly appointed Director of Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha. The team welcomed her and shared updates on the progress of ICRISAT's ongoing collaborative projects in the state.

The team also extended an invitation Dr Tudu to visit ICRISAT.

#News #Blog

ICRISAT Pearl Millet field day showcased 16,000 plots of breeding materials, including 8,000 B lines, 8,000 R lines and 2,000 forage lines. Scientists evaluated traits associated with drought and heat tolerance, disease resistance, early maturity, improved grain quality and enhanced fodder value.

pressroom.icrisat.org/icrisat-pearl-…