Agribusiness Summit 2025 Ends With Strong Call For Water Security & Farmer-Centric Innovation

The Agribusiness Summit 2025, hosted by PHDCCI at Taj Palace, New Delhi, closed with a unified call for bold reforms and renewed commitment to transforming India’s agricultural landscape.

Leaders, policymakers, and experts gathered with a shared resolve to accelerate innovation and secure vital water resources.

They reinforced their commitment to empowering farmers as the central drivers of national growth.

The concluding session echoed a collective determination to translate discussions into actionable solutions for a stronger and more resilient agribusiness ecosystem.

Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, delivered a forceful reminder that water remains the irreplaceable backbone of agriculture. He emphasised that farming simply cannot exist without reliable water availability, regardless of efforts to reduce consumption through advanced practices.

Warning that only 4% of drinking water remains safely accessible, he pressed for urgent preservation. He described how climate change, driven by flash floods, disrupts groundwater recharge, while pollution contaminates both soil and water pathways.

Dr Choudhary urged society to value water as deeply as internet connectivity. He stressed that sustainable water management forms the foundation of India’s agricultural future.

Dr PK Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, called for harmonising farmers’ heartfelt aspirations with practical, science-backed action. He envisioned a self-reliant agricultural system by 2047, strengthened by empowered farmers who can significantly boost GDP through reduced costs, mechanisation, and affordable inputs.

Leaders Chart Agriculture’s Future

Dr Singh reflected on lessons from GM cotton adoption and underscored the need to refine traditional seed varieties. He also emphasised supporting crops that deliver high returns per acre.

He highlighted the rising role of horticulture, the importance of Good Agricultural Practices, and the need for rapid technology transfer to farmers.

Stressing challenges such as climate resilience, financial access, and nutritional security, he encouraged closer trust-building among farmers, researchers, and industry.

Ankur Aggarwal, CMD of Crystal Crop Protection Ltd, championed the ‘Farmer First’ philosophy as the core of agricultural progress. He dismissed misconceptions about agri-input companies and urged a shift from viewing chemicals as ‘pesticides’ to recognising them as ‘plant medicines’.

He called for Centres of Excellence that promote residue-safe, export-ready technologies. Ankur Aggarwal pushed for an innovation framework that remains balanced and future-focused.

Ankur Aggarwal insisted that such a framework must protect industry investments without placing any burden on farmers.

Confident in India’s path toward Viksit Bharat 2047, he praised the Summit for fostering insight-driven solutions.

Dr RG Agarwal, Chair of PHDCCI’s Agribusiness Committee, highlighted gaps in India’s extension systems, hybrid seed availability, and product registration capacities. He noted the slow pace of approvals and rising counterfeit inputs that weaken productivity.

Stressing modernisation of supply chains, he projected that India can double agricultural exports to $100 billion within three years with robust policy support and infrastructure.

As the Summit closed, speakers reaffirmed their commitment to drive impactful change.

The event ended with optimism for the future. Participants shared a firm belief that collaboration, innovation, and strong farmer support will drive India’s agricultural transformation for decades.

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