Farmers’ Awareness Program on Price Discovery and Hedging in Cotton at APMC, Karjan in collaboration with MCX India Ltd., Mumbai on 29^th August 2018

On August 29, 2018, IABMI in collaboration with MCX India Ltd., Mumbai organized a Farmers’ awareness program on “Price Discovery and Hedging” in cotton at APMC, Karjan. In total, 125 farmers, and 50 other stakeholders attended the program. The event was funded by the regulator of Commodity Derivatives Market- Securities and Exchange Board of India, through MCX India Ltd. The program started with Saraswati Vandana followed by the welcome address of Dr. Y. C. Zala, Principal and Dean, IABMI. He talked about the marketing management of Agricultural commodities and need of farmers’ training in current market reforms like e-NAM, Contract Farming, Farmer Producer Companies, Contract Farming, and Futures Derivatives Market. Mrs. Daxa Jani of MCX India Ltd., talked about the benefits of futures market to the farmers and how the futures holds strong promise of better price discovery and minimizing risk through different tools like hedging and speculation. Dr. P. K. Borad, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology, AAU, talked about the issues pertaining to cotton farming, management of insects and pests, more prominently pink bollworm. The President of the APMC, Karjan Shri Satishbhai Patel and Dr. S. R. Patel, Member, Academic Council, AAU were the chief guest of the program. Dr. G. G. Patel, Member, Academic Council, AAU and retired scientist (Agricultural Pathology) also graced the occasion with his presence, and talked about the importance of marketing as well as quality of the product. The overall event was organized and managed by Dr. Ritambhara Singh, Assistant Professor, IABMI, under the guidance of Dr. Y. C. Zala, Principal and Dean of IABMI, AAU, Anand.

Lecture cum interactive session on “Employment Opportunities in Agribusiness Sector” at IABMI on 31^st July 2018

On July 31, 2018, Mr. Vijay Sardana, Director, NABKISAN Finance Ltd, and Dr. Dinesh Bhosale, Regional Sales Director, AB Vista South Asia, visited IABMI to deliver a talk and interact with students of IABMI and College of Dairy Science on “Employment opportunities in Agribusiness sector.” Mr. Vijay Sardana talked about the expectations of the employers in today’s world and advised students to be innovative and don’t stop thinking. He also talked about the estimated growth in the agriculture and food sector in next five years and emphasized the role of technology in achieving that growth. Dr. Dinesh Bhosale, on the other hand, talked about the employment opportunities in livestock, dairy and poultry sector in India. He encouraged students with farming background to polish their entrepreneurial skills and form their own Farmer Producer Companies, thereby helping and solving marketing problems of a big chunk of farming population in an efficient and effective way. He extended a helping hand to any individual who wishes to start up a business and shared some of the success stories from Maharashtra. He also emphasized that practicing dairy and poultry farming is much safer than in field crops, as there are sure returns. He also talked about the need of innovations and bright ideas which can set one apart from other, as today the industry needs such people. The faculty of IABMI and College of Dairy Science was present throughout the sessions. The overall event was organized and managed by Dr. Ritambhara Singh, Assistant Professor, IABMI, under the guidance of Dr. Y C Zala, Principal and Dean of IABMI, AAU, Anand.

Annual Day (Zoom-2017) cum Alumni Meet (Kautilya-2017) Celebration on 10^th November 2017

This year Annual Day (Zoom-2017) was conducted on 10^th November, 2017. Fortunately, the essence of this annual day was enriched due to occurrence of first Alumni Meet (Kautilya-2017) on the same day. In this special day Honorable Vice Chancellor of Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Dr. N. C. Patel had presided over the function and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Honorable Director of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Gandhinagar, Chief Guest and also had delivered a lecture on “Entrepreneurship : Need of the Hour”. Dr. Shukla highlighted many contemporary issues in his lecture including Startup, Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneurship Development and awareness about the incentives of the Government schemes for entrepreneurs. He empathetically informed the audience that potential of Agri-Entrepreneurship has not been explored properly in the country. He also evinced interest to have some collaborative project with Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Honorable Vice Chancellor, Dr. N. C. Patel, in his presidential address, interalia, avowed thanked Dr. Shukla, Chief Guest of the function appraise the audience about government sponsored scheme for reaping the benefit of agripreneurs as focused area of the government and student intent to be associated with Anand Agricultural University in future. The function was overwhelmed with the gracious presence of corporate dignitaries, officers of Anand Agricultural University, Students, Alumni and media persons. In the afternoon session a healthy interaction was organized between IABMI Alumni and student, where many issues including changing industrial environment and strategy for addressing the issues in direction of modification the curricula, pedagogue and soft skill etc. The annual day cum alumni meet had been accomplished at the end with a breathless cultural night and a lavish dinner with all members of this institute. All the activities had been planned and executed by Dr. Shaktiranjan Panigrahy, SRC Chairman of International Agribusiness Management Institute with guidance and blessings of Dr. Y. C. Zala, Principal and Dean of this institute.

University Level Elocution and Essay Competition at IABMI in August 2017

Department of Education, Gujarat Government decided to arrange debate competition at College, University and State level on “ખાદી ફોર નેશન – ખાદી ફોર ફેશન” as well as it was also decided to arrange debate as well as essay competition on two Gaurav Geet “વૈષ્ણવજન તો તેને રે કહીએ” અને “મનુષ્ય તું બડા મહાન હૈ”. Therefore, Anand Agricultural University has arranged the college and university level competition. The University level competition was held at IABMI, AAU, Anand during August, 2017 in which 13 student in debate competition and 12 students in essay competition participated. Dr. B. D. Bhatt, retired Professor, Dr. M. M. Trivedi, Professor, AAU, Anand and Mr. R. H. Gondalia, Account Officer, AAU, Anand have given their services as referees. The elocution result was declared on both the topics on the same day whereas essay result was announced after two days of the competition. Under elocution competition on the topic “ખાદી ફોર નેશન – ખાદી ફોર ફેશન”, Mr. Varotariya Abhaya J. of Dairy Science College secured first position where as Miss Shivani Bhanvadia of BACA and Miss Mervana Ankita A. of AIT College secured second and third position respectively. Similarly under elocution competition on the topic “વૈષ્ણવજન તો તેને રે કહીએ” અને “મનુષ્ય તું બડા મહાન હૈ”, Miss Ritika Desai of FPT & BE College secured first position where as Mr. Ashwin Kalsariya of BACA and Miss Swati Patel of BACA secured second and third position respectively. Under essay competition, Mr Parth Chotaliya of BACA College secured first position where as Miss Pipaliya Rinkal A. of Dairy Science College and Miss Ritika Desai of FPT & BE College secured second and third position respectively. Dr. Shaktiranjan Panigrahy, SRC chairman of IABMI, AAU, Anand coordinated and handled all the activities during the events under the guidance of Dr. Y. C. Zala, Principal and Dean, IABMI, AAU, Anand.

Lecture cum Interactive Session on “Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Working Women at Workplace” on 23^rd February 2017

The most effective weapon against sexual harassment is its prevention. The sense of security at the workplace improves women's participation in work, resulting in their economic empowerment and inclusive growth. To realize the same, organizations have now a days in place an effective anti-harassment policy. However, that does not mean that there will be no harassment complaints. Having an effective policy and procedures, coupled with anti-harassment training for all staff, assists in preventing harassment and support individuals who are being harassed to come forward and ensure that the problem is addressed quickly and effectively. In this context, anti-harassment cell of IABMI organized a lecture cum interactive session with Dr. Ankita Killedar, Research Scientist and Head (Reproductive Biology Research), and Chairperson, Sexual Harassment Committee of AAU on “Prevention of sexual Harassment of working women at workplace”, on 23rd February 2017, at IABMI conference hall. The lecture was attended by faculty, staff and students of IABMI. Dr. Killedar interacted with the audience on University’s anti-harassment policy. She also discussed about the DO’s and DON’Ts at workplace, along with the ways in which the working environment can be made more conducive for both male and female workers. Dr. Y.C. Zala, Principal and Dean, IABMI, and other faculty members also shared their views with the students and staff. Dr. Ritambhara Singh, Chairperson, Women’s sexual harassment cell at IABMI, delivered the vote of thanks and mentioned that a better working environment helps women in better realization of their right to gender equality, life and liberty and equality in working conditions.

Agricultural Education Day Celebration on 3^rd December 2016

It is proposed that on 3^rd December 2016 each ICAR institute and Agricultural University will celebrate Education Day by organizing different events. The day has significance as it is the birth day of the first Union Minister of Agriculture of India (Interim Government of India) and first President of Independent India, Bharat Ratna, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Therefore, to celebrate the occasion an inspirational lecture, by Dr. I. R. Rathore, Retired Scientist, AAU, on “Entrepreneurship in Agriculture with focus on Advance Technologies” was organized by International Agribusiness Management Institute, AAU, Anand. All the students and faculty members attended the lecture and evinced deep interest. Huge economic benefits without any associated detrimental impacts of more than 15 contemporary agricultural technologies including tissue culture and bio-fertilizers motivated the students to take up agribusiness as a successful venture in the career. Apart from speaker, the faculty members also shared their experiences and answered the questions raised. Dr. Y. C. Zala, Principal of the institute, while sharing his experience asked the students to be the Job creators instead of Job seekers and for that agribusiness can help you more than any other area as it has wide scope.

Bank of Baroda Foreign Delegation visit at IABMI on 10th February 2015

About 35 Bank of Baroda overseas branch manager visited International Agri-Business Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. They seen different activities carried out by the institute and Anand Agricultural University, Anand.

One Day Workshop on “Prospects and Procedures in Agri-Export Business” on 9^th October 2015

International Agri-Business Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand jointly organized A One Day Workshop on “Prospects and Procedures in Agri-Export Business” with Jt. DGFT, WTO Cell, BACA, AAU, Anand on 9^th October, 2015. Total 200 participants including progressive farmers, exporters, academician and students has participated in this workshop.

ICAR Sponsored 10 Days Short Duration Course on “Strategic Issues in Agricultural Trade under WTO Regime” during 19^th January to 28^th January 2015

International Agri-Business Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand organized 10 days Short Duration Course, sponsored by ICAR, on  “Strategic Issues in Agricultural Trade under WTO Regime” during 19^th January to 28^th January 2015. Total 16 participants from different Agricultural Universities of India has participated in this programme. Hon. Vice Chancellor, Dr. N. C. Patel, presided over the inaugural session in the esteemed presence of Deans, Directors and officers of the university. Dr. K. B. Kathiria, Director of Research & Dean PG Studies, chaired the concluding session and distributed the certificates to the participants. The training programme used a blend of classroom lectures, case studies, visits to the fields of progressive farmers and agro industries. According to the online evaluation and feedback, the programme was rated excellent by majority of the participants. Resource persons included the experts from reputed academic institutions like IIM, Ahmedabad, AERC, Sardar Patel University and DAICT, Gandhinagar apart from faculty members of different departments and colleges of AAU.

ICAR Sponsored 21 Days Summer School on “Agribusiness and Marketing Information System” during 01^st July to 21^st July 2013

International Agri-Business Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand organized 21 days summer school sponsored by ICAR on “Agribusiness and Marketing Information System” during 01^st to 21^st July 2013. Total 26 participants from different Agricultural Universities of India has participated. The programme used a blend of classroom lectures, case studies, visits to the fields of progressive farmers and agro industries.