Leh: The DST-Technology Enabling Center, University of Ladakh (TEC-UoL) successfully organized the Ladakh Agrithon 2024 at Leh campus.
This event aimed to provide a platform for technocrats, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups, and progressive farmers to showcase their innovative ideas, inventions, and product prototypes related to agriculture.
The themes for the event included Precision Agriculture, Crop and Horticulture Farming, Farm Mechanization, Digital Agriculture & Automation, Supply Chain & Logistics, Post-Harvest & Food Technology, and Innovation & Invention in Agriculture.
The event was honored by the presence of Dr. Sandipan Mukherjee, Head of the GB-Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, as the chief guest. Key attendees included Nawang Tundup, I/c Registrar, University of Ladakh, Dr. Sonam Joldan, Dean Academics, Dr. Subrat Sharma, Dean Research, Dr. Jigmet Dechen, Dean Student Welfare, and various faculty members from the university.
Dr. Sandipan Mukherjee, in his inaugural address, congratulated the TEC UoL team led by Vice Chancellor Prof. S.K. Mehta for organizing Ladakh Agrithon 2024. He highlighted innovative endeavors by the GB-Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment to address the unique challenges of cold arid agricultural conditions in Ladakh.
Mr. Nawang Tundup, I/C Registrar, UoL, and Co-Coordinator, TEC UoL, emphasized the mandate and efforts of TEC UoL to develop a Technology Development Ecosystem within the university. He also expressed the TEC’s readiness to support young and budding agripreneurs in the Ladakh region.
In the inaugural session, Mr. Jigmet Stobdan, Co-Coordinator, TEC UoL, presented the welcome address. Dr. Mohd Rafee, Co-Coordinator, TEC UoL, provided a brief overview of TEC UoL and Agrithon 2024.
The jury members included Dr. Rakshak Kumar, Associate Professor, Tripura University, Sonam Lotus, Sr. Scientist, IMD, Dr. Deldan Namgyal, Sr.
Scientist, SKUAST-Leh, Dr. Kunzes Angmo, Assistant Professor, SKUAST-Leh, and Dr. Anwar Hussain, Assistant Professor, SKUAST-Leh.
A total of 35 participants/teams/firms registered for the event and the participants/teams/firms
presented their innovative technologies, business ideas, and product prototypes, covering a
range of topics from traditional agricultural practices to modern digital precision farming.
The jury evaluated the presentations based on novelty, commercialization potential, societal impact, and other parameters. Winners and runners-up in various categories were awarded cash prizes and certificates of appreciation.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Mehboob Ali, Co-coordinator DST-TEC. The organizers expressed their enthusiasm for hosting similar events in the future and encouraged audience participation.
