Argus News - Argus Agri Vikash Season 5 Begins in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Apr 20: The fifth season of Argus Agri Vikash commenced at Hotel Mayfair Convention, Jaydev Vihar in Bhubaneswar on Monday, bringing together policymakers, innovators and agricultural experts under the theme “Powering the Future of Agriculture in Odisha.”

The inaugural session began at 11:30 AM with Anchor Shovna introducing the programme, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and rendition of ‘Vande Utkal Janani’. An audio-visual presentation showcasing the journey of Argus News was played thereafter. Guests were then introduced and felicitated by the Chief Editor of Argus News, Sisira Bhatta Mishra, who also delivered the welcome address.

Prakash Sahu, CEO of Argus News, presented the concept note, outlining the vision behind the initiative. The session featured addresses from Guest of Honour Dr Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, and Padma Shri awardee Uddhab Bharali, a renowned grassroots innovator from Assam.

Chief Guest Surama Padhy, Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of strengthening agricultural systems in the state. The inaugural session concluded with memento presentation by Prakash Sahu and a vote of thanks by the Executive Editor of Argus, Durgasish.

The technical session on “Future-ready Agriculture – Skilling, Education and Knowledge Systems” will begin at 12:30 PM, with Anchor Shovna welcoming the panel and Santi Bhusan Mishra, Associate Editor of Argus News, moderating the discussion.

The panel discussion will feature Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Member of Parliament from Kandhamal; Arun Kumar Sahoo, MLA from Nayagarh and former Agriculture Minister; Amar Prasad Satpathy, former Agriculture Minister; and Hamid Hussain, National Spokesperson of AICC and former Director in the Ministries of Defence and Agriculture, Government of India. An interactive question-answer session will follow before concluding with felicitation and memento presentation.

After the lunch break from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, the second technical session on “From Farm to Market: Building Resilient and Efficient Agri Supply Chains” will be held. The session will be moderated by Sangram Sarangi, Editor, Argus Digital, and will include panellists Sushanta Kumar Panda, Managing Director of Bharat Masala; Pabitra Kumar Sahoo, entrepreneur and Spirulina producer; and Jayanti M, business advisor and startup ecosystem enabler.

The third technical session, scheduled from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, will focus on “Opportunities and the Way Forward in Leveraging the Potential in Odisha.” It will be moderated by Shakti Sai Mishra, Associate Editor of Argus News, with participation from Manish Billore, Vice President at Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd.; Sujata Bhuyan, cage culturist; and Sitikantha Behera, Chief Executive of Utkarsh Nature Village.

The valedictory session will begin at 5:00 PM, with Anchor Shovna introducing the programme and welcoming dignitaries. CEO Prakash Sahu will present the concept note.

Guest of Honour Pradeep Bal Samanta, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Co-operation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, and Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and MSME, will address the gathering.

Chief Guest Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment and Energy, will deliver the keynote address. The session will also witness the felicitation of ten successful farmers and agriculturists from across the state, followed by the vote of thanks by the Executive Editor of Argus, Durgasish.