Innovations in Agribusiness Management Course Empowers Retiring Defence Personnel in Pune

A training programme, Innovations and Agribusiness Management, was recently held in Pune to assist retiring defence personnel in finding sustainable livelihoods. Conducted by Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) with the Ministry of Defence's Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), the course ran from March 24 to May 16. It aimed to transition Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel into agribusiness roles.

Representative image

Focus on Practical Skills and Innovations

The programme provided practical knowledge and business skills in agriculture, food processing, value chain management, and cooperative enterprises. Participants engaged in interactive classroom sessions, case studies, and project development. Experts from agribusiness startups, cooperative institutions, academia, and banking led discussions. Topics included agribusiness planning, cooperative models, financial management, legal frameworks, marketing, food processing, livestock management, fisheries, agri-tech, and organic farming.

Brigadier Rohit Mehta addressed the participants during the valedictory session. He congratulated them on completing the course and encouraged them to use their leadership skills in agribusiness. "Their transition from uniformed service to rural enterprise is not just a career shift but a meaningful contribution to India's agricultural and economic transformation," he stated.

Field Visits Enhance Learning Experience

A significant part of the programme was a field visit to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Baramati on May 13. Participants learned about integrated farming systems, renewable energy applications in agriculture, food processing units, and technology use in farm-to-market linkages. This visit allowed interaction with agripreneurs and cooperative leaders, bridging classroom knowledge with field realities.

Dr Mahesh Kadam provided an overview of the training programme. He highlighted the importance of defence personnel exploring new roles within the agribusiness ecosystem. The course included visits to various agribusiness and cooperative institutions across Maharashtra. These visits featured dairy farms, processing units, and agri-tourism ventures.

A total of 44 officers completed the course: 27 from the Army, eight from the Navy, and nine from the Air Force. The training aimed to equip them with essential skills for entrepreneurial roles in agribusiness. The initiative reflects a strategic effort to integrate retiring defence personnel into India's growing agricultural sector.

With inputs from PTI