Bhubaneswar, July 18: A two-day consultative workshop titled ‘Tackling Barriers to Innovation Adoption’ was organized by Social Alpha in collaboration with Pradan at ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA) in Bhubaneswar on July 17 and 18.
The workshop aimed to identify operational challenges and develop strategies to address issues related to innovative products developed by startups aimed at easing drudgery in agriculture and mitigating the menace of wild animals.
By bringing together agripreneurs, farmers, and experts, the workshop sought to bridge the gap between the problems faced in the agricultural sector and the innovative solutions that startups can provide. During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions about the myriad issues farmers face and the available solutions. The dialogue also highlighted market gaps where solutions are yet to be developed, urging startups to address these unmet needs.
Farmers voiced concerns over the scarcity of water for irrigation, especially during dry seasons. Innovative irrigation techniques and water conservation methods were discussed as potential solutions. The availability of quality seeds and fertilizers remains a significant challenge.
Many technologies are not accessible or suitable for small and marginal farmers. The workshop emphasized the need for developing affordable and user-friendly technologies that cater to these farmers’ specific needs. Sanjay Kumar Nayak, a farmer from Nischintakoili in Cuttack, shared his experience, stating, “Access to quality seeds and affordable technology is crucial for us. We need solutions tailored to our scale of farming.”
Suchit Samantaray, Project Coordinator at Pradan, highlighted the issues faced by women farmers during the use of farm machinery. Recognizing the crucial role of women in agriculture, the need for ergonomically designed, women-friendly farm machinery was emphasized to reduce physical strain and increase productivity. Jharana Biswal, a woman farmer from Jharsuguda, emphasized, “Women do a lot of heavy lifting in the fields. Having machinery that we can easily use will make a big difference in our daily work and productivity.”
Crop destruction by wild animals such as monkeys and elephants is a pervasive issue. Various existing and potential solutions were considered to mitigate this problem. The workshop concluded with a call to action for startups and innovators to focus on these identified areas. The participants underscored the importance of continuous collaboration between farmers, startups, and institutions to drive sustainable growth in agriculture.
Social Alpha and Pradan committed to facilitating further dialogues and supporting pilot projects that address the challenges discussed during the workshop. The outcomes and recommendations from this workshop will be compiled into a report to guide future initiatives aimed at fostering innovation in agriculture. By harnessing the power of innovation and community-driven approaches, the workshop laid the groundwork for a more resilient and prosperous agricultural sector in India.
