Kottayam: Saintgits College of Engineering, in collaboration with the Kudumbashree Mission, hosted the Agri Entrepreneurs’ Meet and Agri Expo, "K-A BizNest," recently with the theme “Empowering Agribusiness, Enriching Young Minds.”

The one-day event was inaugurated by Dr Sudha T, Principal of Saintgits College of Engineering, in the presence of distinguished guests including Dr S Shanavas, State Program Officer of Agri-Kudumbashree Mission; D. Elsa Cherian, Head of the Food Technology Department; Prakash B Nair, Assistant District Mission Coordinator; Bindu Jiji, CDS Chairperson from Panachikkad; and Anoop Chandran, District Program Manager. Each of the dignitaries delivered insightful speeches that underscored the importance of agribusiness and innovation.

Following the inauguration, Dr Shanavas delivered a keynote address titled “From Soil to Success: Exploring Agri-Businesses and Food Opportunities with Kudumbashree.” He highlighted the transition from traditional farming to modern agribusiness, emphasizing sustainable practices, market adaptation, and the potential for food production businesses to drive community welfare. His address encouraged students to see agriculture as a profitable and impactful business avenue.

Dr Girilal M, Professor in the Department of Food Technology and event convener, remarked, “K-A BizNest is significant because it exposes students to new ideas in agro-food processing, encouraging them to think beyond traditional farming and explore modern business opportunities in the agricultural sector.”

Cyriac Jose, Assistant Professor at Saintgits Institute of Management, delivered an engaging talk on “Influence of Marketing in the Performance of Small Businesses.” He discussed how strategic marketing could boost visibility and profitability for small agri-businesses, stressing the importance of leveraging modern marketing tools to reach a broader audience.

The event was further enriched by contributions from Dr Anju K A, Associate Professor in the Food Technology Department, along with dedicated faculty members and students, who helped create a dynamic environment for learning and innovation in agribusiness.

The collaboration between Saintgits College of Engineering and Kudumbashree has provided valuable opportunities for students, bridging academic knowledge with real-world insights into community-based entrepreneurship. Kudumbashree’s guidance has enriched the college’s curriculum, offering students a unique perspective on social responsibility and the potential for innovative, sustainable business models in agriculture and the food industry.

(The authors are BTech in Food Technology students at the Saintgits College of Engineering (Autonomous) Kottayam, reporting for Onmanorama as part of our campus outreach programme, Onmanorama Campus Reporter)