ASSOCHAM's Summit on Agriculture and Food Processing Concluded Successfully

Hyderabad: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) successfully convened AgriBiz Connect 2025 – Summit on Agriculture and Food Processing today in Hyderabad, Telangana, bringing together over 200 key stakeholders from across the agri-industrial ecosystem. The summit marked a pivotal moment in charting India’s journey toward inclusive, technology-driven, and globally competitive agriculture and food systems.
 
Under the theme “Vision for Inclusive Agri-Industrial Growth: A Roadmap for Transforming Agriculture into a Value-Driven, Technology-Enabled Industry,” AgriBiz Connect 2025 served as a high-impact platform uniting policymakers, agri-entrepreneurs, global trade representatives, researchers, and industry leaders to define actionable pathways for agricultural transformation.
 
Dr. Rangaiah V Setlem, Chair of ASSOCHAM’s Agriculture & Food Processing Council (Southern Region) and Founder & CEO, Womenova Agro Food Park Pvt. Ltd. Dr. Setlem addressing the summit emphasized the need for a strategic convergence of traditional farming practices, innovation, and market linkages to drive inclusive rural prosperity and agri-industrial resilience. Calling for unified efforts among academia, agri-tech innovators, and policy architects Dr. Satlem said, “It is time we reimagine agriculture not just as a means of livelihood but as a dynamic, value-generating industry that powers economic growth.”
 
Dr. Raji Reddy Danda, Vice Chancellor of Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, underscored the transformative potential of horticulture-led growth in enhancing farmer incomes, food security, and rural employment. Advocateing for climate-smart practices, market-driven research and deep industry-academia integration, Dr. Reddy said, “Horticulture is a strategic lever for building resilient agricultural systems. With the right blend of education, innovation, and market alignment, we can unlock new frontiers in agri-development.”
 
The summit also saw insightful discussions where experts including, Gopinath Koneti, Partner & Senior Advisor, KPMG India, Padma Shri Yadlapalli Venkateswara Rao, Chairman, Rythu Nestham Foundation and Macha Dinesh Babu, Regional Director – Southern Region, ASSOCHAM emphasised the need for data-driven value chain optimization and institutional reforms, farmer-centric policy frameworks and inclusive development models and latest developments in agri-policy advocacy and regional development.
 
International delegates at the summit highlighted opportunities for international collaboration and co-operation with Yair Osheroff, Consul for Trade and Economic Affairs of Israel in Bengaluru outlining the scope for India-Israel collaboration in precision farming, post-harvest technologies, and agri-startup ecosystems. “India and Israel, through shared innovation and mutual respect, can co-create scalable agri-solutions that uplift both farmers and global food systems,” Osheroff said.
 
Dr. Yadugiri Kiron Kumar, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria & CMD, Suchirindia Group, highlighted the potential of India–Bulgaria partnerships in organic farming, agro-industrial technologies, and agri-export facilitation. “Cross-border cooperation is key to building resilient value chains and unlocking global markets for Indian agri-businesses,” Dr. Kiron Kumar affirmed.
 
Rambabu Boorugu, Co-chair of ASSOCHAM Telangana State Development Council & Executive Director & CTO, Pranava Group, acknowledging the active participation and collaborative spirit of all delegates, institutions, and partners at the summit reaffirmed ASSOCHAM’s commitment to fostering innovation, empowering farmers, and advancing India's global agri-leadership through sustainable, inclusive, and technology-enabled frameworks.