While addressing the gathering at NAIP Agri Innovation Conclave 2014  as chief guest, Mr Onno Ruhl, country director for India, World Bank appreciated that India is transforming fast, especially in the agricultural sector, meeting the enhanced demand of food and nutrition successfully. But, India has the potential to become a modern and developed country in near future that can be achieved through the route of agriculture and allied activities. He emphasized that now Indian farmers are also taking up various on-farm and off-farm enterprises to become entrepreneur that is raising their income significantly. Mr Ruhl expressed his happiness over the successful partnership of World Bank with NAIP-ICAR and hoped that it will continue with the forthcoming National Agricultural Education Project on which World Bank is working vigorously.

Earlier, Dr S Ayyappan, secretary, DARE and director general, ICAR welcomed the dignitaries and elaborated upon various innovations and technologies that helped farmers to gain prestige and profitability. He said that Indian agriculture has attained sustainability through good science and technology that has permeated to fields and farms. NAIP has brought a change in the mindset of Indian farmers who are now more eager to adopt new technologies and many of them have become innovators as well, he said. Dr Ayyappan emphasized that ICAR implemented NAIP in a mission mode and contemplates to continue the same spirit with various technological and financial initiatives.

Dr William D Dar, director general, ICRISAT expressed his sincere thanks to NAIP-ICAR for a long and fruitful partnership and hoped that it will continue in coming years. He showed satisfaction over the mentoring and handholding of agripreneurs that led to prosperity and progress in the Indian agriculture and also enhanced human dignity.

Dr Peter Kenmore, FAO representative in India stressed on creation of off-farm rural jobs to increase income and ensure livelihood security in rural India. He said farmers need a scientific support system to meet their livelihood goals and expressed his happiness over the role of KVKs in providing the same. Dr Kenmore suggested that women should be involved in all innovation processes through training and other supports.

Dignitaries honored winners of the Agri-Biz Idol contest with cash prize of Rs one lakh and certificate and also felicitated participants of the contest. Farmers and entrepreneurs Yatris of Krishi Parivartan Yatra were also felicitated by the dignitaries.

Dignitaries also inaugurated Expo arranged to showcase NAIP innovations and technologies.

NAIP's Agri Innovation Conclave is to encourage active participation from the public and private sector in promoting innovations, partnership and entrepreneurial climate in the Indian agricultural sector.

This Conclave is a culmination of two major initiatives: The Agri Biz Idol Camp, with top 10 promising agri-entrepreneur youth and The Krishi Parivartan Yatra, which brings together NAIP's 50 most innovative farmers and agribusinessmen of the country. The yatra was organized by NAIP-ICAR for sharing innovations and success stories of the farmers across seven states.

Former National Directors, DDGs, Directors of the ICAR institutes, Vice-Chancellors and Senior Officials of ICAR, World Bank, FAO and ICRISAT are participating in the Conclave. The event was jointly organized by NAIP-ICAR and ICRISAT.

Dr D Ramarao, national director, NAIP proposed vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to all partners across the country and to all those who contributed in making the NAIP a successful mission.