BL Agro & Leads Connect champion sustainable farming with launch of SAMARTH 1.0 at Krishi Bharat, Lucknow

BL Agro, one of India’s leading FMCG brands, and its agritech venture, Leads Connect, focused on risk management, climate, and sustainability solutions, launched SAMARTH 1.0 at Krishi Bharat in Lucknow. The event was graced by Agriculture Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Surya Pratap Shahi, Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Jan-Kees Goet, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, Netherlands and K. Ravinder Nayak, IAS, Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Uttar Pradesh.

The initiative, SAMARTH 1.0, Seminar on Agricultural Modelling and Assessing Risks for Transforming Humanity is designed to unite key stakeholders in a scientific dialogue focused on addressing critical challenges in agriculture. SAMARTH featured scientific and technical sessions, gathering industry experts, researchers, and academics from across spectrums and regions to create a collaborative roadmap for sustainable solutions in agro-ecosystems and value chain development.

Dr. Alok B. Mukherjee, Director - Research, Analytics & Modeling at Leads Connect, highlighted the vision behind SAMARTH, saying, "SAMARTH is more than just a research journal. It’ is a way to create real, on-ground impact. By combining advanced technology with an interdisciplinary approach and hyper-local intelligence, we are moving beyond conventional AI to embrace strong AI. SAMARTH is a call to practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders in the agri-ecosystem and climate domain to contribute their work. The best three research papers, rigorously peer-reviewed and by a board, will receive awards of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000, and Rs. 20,000 respectively. Beyond research, SAMARTH is about direct engagement with farmers to ensure real-world relevance. Each edition will focus on pilot studies that drive tangible, sustainable change on the ground."

In tandem with SAMARTH 1.0, BL Agro and Leads Connect announced a call for papers to contribute to the newly unveiled scientific journal, Satellite Analytics & Transfer Intelligence (SATI). SATI will serve as a hub for breakthrough research, covering themes such as agriculture, climate and disaster management, and value chain analytics. Ten research articles, selected after a peer review process, will be published in SATI, with awards presented to the authors of the top three articles for their contributions.

Navneet Ravikar, chairman and managing director, Leads Connect Services, expressed his excitement, saying, "Our efforts are driven by a deep commitment to develop robust and sustainable solutions for agriculture and the environment. The milk production technology we have introduced has transformed the entire ecosystem, bringing a new level of efficiency and productivity. We are now focused on creating stronger market linkages between agriculture and dairy, fostering a more integrated and sustainable value chain. SAMARTH 1.0 is a testament to our dedication to transforming lives and bringing smiles to people through impactful solutions."

A unique highlight of the event was ‘Kisan Samvad’. The session actively invited farmers to discuss solutions being built for them. This interactive forum gave farmers a voice and empowered the farming community. It allowed them to share valuable insights and contribute first-hand knowledge in the development of practical, sustainable initiatives to enhance agricultural outcomes.

Krishi Bharat is CII's flagship initiative in agro-technology, featuring a large exhibition and knowledge sessions that attract global participation. The prestigious event is held in Lucknow from November 15 to 18, 2024.

Special international recognition came from Jan-Kees Goet, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, Netherlands, who also attended the event. He commended the efforts of Leads Connect in supporting farmers and strengthening the agri-ecosystem in India. Speaking on the strides being made in agricultural innovation, Goet remarked, "The Netherlands has been at the forefront of developing technologies that enhance productivity while ensuring sustainability. It is inspiring to see initiatives like SAMARTH 1.0 echoing the same values by bringing together global and local expertise to empower farmers and create sustainable agri-ecosystems."

In his address, Manoj Kumar Singh emphasized Uttar Pradesh's deep-rooted agricultural heritage, saying, "UP has always been, and will continue to be, a land of agriculture. I deeply appreciate the efforts of BL Agro and Leads Connect in introducing cutting-edge technology to support our farmers and the agri-ecosystem. Their focus on technology-driven solutions, especially in increasing milk and crop productivity and advancing embryo development for cattle, will play a transformative role in boosting the state’s agricultural and dairy sectors."