Gujarat Chapter - Times Now Global Sustainability Alliance

SUSTAINABLE VISION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN GUJARAT

Overview

Accelerating Progress: Resource Conscious and Low Carbon Agricultural Developnment

India is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, home to almost one-sixth of humanity. Its growth momentum is an integral part of global development and is essential to meeting the world’s sustainable development goals. Gujarat is India’s most urbanized and industrialized state, accounting for almost 8 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) despite having only 6 percent of the country’s geographical area and 5 percent of its population.

As India’s leading growth hub, Gujarat is firmly committed to national socio-economic growth, on the backbone of proactive governance, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and complete ease of doing business.

In addition to a framework for sustainable business, the state government is undertaking a comprehensive approach to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 by integrating SDGs into national and sub-national policies and programs, ensuring that all aspects of governance and development contribute to these goals.

Within the large eco-system of business industries in Gujarat, major industries like agriculture and food processing have a significant impact on sustainable development as drivers of economic growth and innovation. Leading as second in ‘Green Revolution’ – Gujarat has achieved an agricultural growth table at 9.6% and has carved a niche in the field of agricultural development In India. It has helped to cater to the sustainable development goals to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” (SDG2). Due to its varied agro-climatic conditions, Gujarat is known for its agricultural productivity and diverse crop cultivation.

Crop Diversity

cotton, groundnuts, bananas, mangoes, sugarcane, and rice.

Government Support

Various schemes and subsidies to support farmers, enhance crop productivity, and ensure agricultural sustainability.

Technology Adoption

Farmers are early adoptors of agricultural technology and innovative practices.

Irrigation Infrastructure

Significant investments in irrigation infrastructure are improving water availability for agriculture and has contributed to increased agricultural productivity.

Exports

Cotton, groundnuts, spices, and fruits, contributes significantly to both domestic consumption and export markets. The state's ports facilitate agricultural exports, enhancing the economic viability of farming activities.

Speakers

Abhiir Bhalla

Youth Environmentalist

Bhikubhai N Patel

Managing Trustee & Secretary
Sardar Patel Education Trust, Anand, Gujarat Tobacco Merchant Association

Rameshbhai Ruparelia

Founder & CEO
Gir Gau Jatan Sansthan

Bharat Patel

Head - Gujarat Region
UPL

Megha Desai

Senior Coordinator, National Farmer’s Forum Network
Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)

Dr. Shailendra Kumar

Deput Global Program Director, Enabling System Transformation
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

Prof. Ranjan Kumar Ghosh

Chairperson, Centre for Management in Agriculture
IIM Ahmedabad

Ramesh Chand Meena

IAS Principal Secretary, Chairman , Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs
Government of Gujarat

Dr. Ashok Dalwai

CEO
National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)

Bhavesh Modi

Professor & Head, Department of Community & Family Medicine
All India Institute of Medical Science

Sanjeev Kumar

Principal Secretary (I/C), Climate Change Department
Government of Gujarat

Surender Makhija

Strategic Advisor & Sr.Vice President
Jain Irrigation

Shilp Verma

Deputy Country Representative – India, Program LeaderIWMI-Tata Water Policy Program, Senior Researcher, Water-Energy-Food Policies

Dr. Anju Sharma

Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Co-Operation Department
Government of Gujarat

Key Takeaways

Opportunity to network

Opportunity to network with other CEOs

Increase sustainability sector

Increase sustainability sector network

Gain new ideas

Gain new ideas and share your views with other leaders.

Have realistic and up-to-date

Have realistic and up-to-date business information and guidance.

Generate opportunities

Generate opportunities for collaboration.

To learn how to use resources

To learn how to use resources and tactics to deal with difficult circumstances.

Address the unique problems

Address the unique problems that come with the job, as well as gain context, and a fresh perspective.

Gain an industry outlook

Gain an industry outlook on cutting-edge ideas and keeping up with emerging practices and procedures.

Key Discussion Points

Bio stimulants for healthier crops
Waste management, energy, air pollution
Low-carbon agriculture: a forward-looking approach to farming
Key aspects of growth in agriculture to accelerate progress across SDG’s.

Mitigation Initiatives - State of Gujarat
Climate mitigation and policy evaluation
Sustainable use of resources – water, land and fertilizers
High risk crops – Tobacco, implement strong tobacco taxes (that could also include an environmental tax) and alternative and sustainable crops

Who Should Attend?

Sustainability Heads

CSR Leaders

Presidents

CEOs

Executive Directors

Managing Directors

Country Heads

Agenda

10.00 - 10.15
Opening Address: Vision 2030: Economic development and inclusive growth

10.15 - 10.30
Keynote Address: Forward looking approach: Protecting farmers and agro based industry - Case of Gujarat

R.A.S Patel, Deputy Commissioner (NRM/RFS), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare

Dr. Anju Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Co-Operation Department, Government of Gujarat

10.30 - 10.55
Leaders’s Dialogue: Big output, Big Impact: Building momentum for sustainable agriculture and farming practices

Moderator

Shilp Verma, Deputy Country Representative – India, Program Leader, IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program, Senior Researcher, Water-Energy-Food Policies

Bharat Patel, Head – Gujarat Region, UPL

10.55 - 11.10
Voice of Farmers: Agro business and policy advocacy: Providing livelihood and support

Megha Desai, Senior Coordinator, National Farmer’s Forum Network, Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)

Female Farmer

11.15 - 11.35
In conversation: Farms to Exports – Focus Sectors (Cotton, Sugarcane, Tobacco)

Bhikhubhai N Patel, Managing Trustee & Secretary, Sardar Patel Education Trust, Anand, President, Gujarat Tobacco Merchant Association

Hardeep Desai, Global Head-Farm Programmes, Cotton Connect

11.35 - 11.45
Spotlight Talk: Enabling farmers: Meeting sustainability standard, practices and investments

Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary (I/C), Climate Change Department, Government of Gujarat

11.45 - 12.15
Farm Factor - Opinion of Stakeholders: Expectations and Challenges

Bhavesh Modi, Professor & Head, Department of Community & Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Science

Dewang M Thakar, Member Secretary, Gujarat Pollution Control Board

D.H Solanki, Director of Agriculture, Directorate of Agriculture, Government of Gujarat

12.20 – 13.00
Panel Discussion: Farmer-centric sustainable growth: Innovating businesses

Dr. Ashok Dalwai, CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA)

Dr Shalander Kumar, Deput Global Program Director, Enabling System Transformation, ICRISAT

Dr. K Inkarsal, Chief General Manager, Department of Climate Action and Sustainability, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mumbai (NABARD)

13.00 - 13.10
Voices that matter - Meet the Indian Youth Fighting Air Pollution

13.10 – 13.20
Opinion: Implications of the European Green Deal for agri-food trade

Ramesh Chand Meena, IAS Principal Secretary & Chairman, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs

Ramesh Verma, Deputy Secretary-Logistics, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India

13.20 – 13.45
Call for action: Climate Mitigation and crop adaptation

Prof. Ranjan Kumar Ghosh, Chairperson, Centre for Management in Agriculture, IIM Ahmedabad

Prof. Chittaranjan Kole, President, International Climate Resilient Crop Genomics Consortium