Bangalore, August 22, 2014: Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) in association with MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications today announced that Central India's largest Agricultural Summit "Agrovision" is expanding its wings to South India by hosting the South Edition of Agrovision in Belgaum, Karnataka from February 21-23, 2015 at Belgaum Exhibition Complex, Autonagar, Belgaum. The highlights of the three day mega event will be an Exhibition, Conference and Workshops. "Agrovision South" will also showcase Innovations in Agriculture - a program for start-ups, a buyer-seller meet, an Agri Captains Conclave - a platform for Industry and Investors, a Policy Makers Users Conclave and the Agro Vision South Excellence Awards.

The announcement was made in the presence of Sri Krishna Byre Gowda - Hon'ble minister of state for Agriculture, (Independent Charge), Government of Karnataka, Shri Mahendra Jain, IAS, principle secretary to Government, Co-op Department [Agriculture (I/C)], Government of Karnataka, Shri Chidananda M. Rajamane, president, KASSIA and Shri Ravi Boratkar, Jt managing director, MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.

Agrovision South's core theme will be "Building Sustainable Livelihoods and Increasing Farmers' Income". The event will be a three-day Knowledge and Technology Exhibition on farm practices and food processing creating a unique opportunity for Small scale industries, entrepreneurs and farmers to assimilate the latest products, services, technology in Agriculture and allied sectors. Agrovision South is expected to receive active participation of Industry/Corporate, Government organisations, Policy makers, Academia and farmers, small scale industries, consumers etc.

Speaking on the need for Agrovision South, Mr Ravi Boratkar said, "The Govt. of Karnataka considers agriculture and allied industries as high growth sectors to accelerate the state's GDP and enable farmers to boost their income as well as ensure food security. The challenges faced by the agriculture sector which supports a majority of the state's population needs to be addressed on priority. Agrovision South shall induce the adoption of new technologies and use of modern farm practices amongst farmers and showcase the emerging opportunities for entrepreneurs in the much needed Agri-infrastructure and Agri-services sectors."

Sri Chidananda M Rajamane giving details of the Expo emphasized that "Learn More, Earn More (LMEM)" concept holds good especially in the case of agriculture which requires assimilation of new technologies by the farmers. "Many overseas organizations related to the farm and food processing sector have evinced interest in participating in the event which is likely to be supported by some government organizations and institutional stakeholders," he added.

The Expo will showcase the best of farm technologies both from within the country and abroad, latest innovative measures to increase crop productivity, soil testing techniques, harnessing farm produce from lab to land, and agricultural extension practices such as food processing and related sectors. Apart from Exhibition, Agrovision South will also have a one day Conference on the role and contribution of small scale industries on the agriculture and allied sectors like food processing, storage etc.

Workshops will be conducted on topics like Small Scale Industries: Value addition and Growth prospects, Dairy development, Poultry, Pre and Post Harvesting Technologies, Entrepreneurship opportunities in Agriculture, developing service sector in rural India etc. Workshops will attract large number of participants as they will be provided with information on latest techniques, close interaction with the experts for all their queries, doubts and find the remedy. The organizers expect wide participation from agro, food processing and related sectors across south India and in particular from the neighbouring districts of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Bellary, Gulbarga, Raichur, Yadgiri, Gadag, Dharwad, Haveri, Koppal, in addition to several central PSUs and large industries.