Regional Conference in Gujarat Focuses on Oilseed Opportunities
Agricultural Seminar Highlights Oilseed Potential
'On Monday, a seminar titled "Agricultural Value - Oilseed Opportunities" was held at Marwadi University in Rajkot, Gujarat, as part of the 'Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference - Saurashtra-Kutch'. The event featured discussions among agricultural experts and entrepreneurs aimed at elevating the agricultural economy of Saurashtra and Kutch to a global level. R.C. Meena, the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperation Department of the Gujarat government, warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and representatives, sharing insights on the significance of oilseeds in Gujarat's agricultural sector and the government's future plans.
Rituporna Dole, the Chairperson of the Indian Oilseed and Product Promotion Council, delivered a lecture on 'Seeds of Prosperity', emphasizing the need to recognize the true potential of oilseeds and the importance of quality seeds.CIARA-CEC President Gustavo Idigoras provided virtual guidance on Argentina's oilseed export model, informing participants about the necessary steps for competitive exports in the global market.ICAR-Peanut Research Director Sandeep Bera also shared technical insights on climate-smart agriculture and oilseed security in Gujarat.Kuldeep Parewa, founder and CEO of Anveshan, addressed ongoing research and agricultural innovations in the oilseed sector for a sustainable future. He stated, "Memorandums of understanding have been signed between various institutions for the development of the oilseed sector and technology exchange."
The seminar aimed to highlight the economic potential from the entire process of oilseed crop production to value addition. Regions like Saurashtra and Kutch cultivate oilseed crops such as peanuts and castor. Farmers can earn better income by adding value to these oilseed crops instead of selling them directly. The seminar provided insights on how to generate more profit from oilseed crops through the production of oil and other by-products.
Experts offered guidance on enhancing farmers' incomes through modern technology. Information was shared about cold-pressed oil, ghani oil, and modern refining processes, which are in high demand in international markets. Discussions also covered logistics facilities necessary for delivering value-added products to countries worldwide, along with a call for establishing oilseed processing units during the seminar.