IBioM BBS 46th Meet Report

THEME: Agri Biotech MSME & Startups

12.30 PM to 6.00 PM on 21^st Dec 2024@ University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS), Bangalore.

To view entire session, click here – https://www.youtube.com/live/bW45NkH-50Q

SCHEDULE

12:30-1:30 PM: Registration, Lunch & Networking
1:30-1:40 PM: Welcome note by Sheshasayee – Department of Plant Physiology, UAS Bangalore
1:40–2:00 PM: Genomics in Private Sector Plant Breeding: Myths, Realities, and Market Impact by Dr. Sharan Angadi – Director Foundation for Advanced Training in Plant Breeding (ATPBR)
2:00-2:20 PM: Development of Molecular Tools for agriculture by Dr Manish Kumar Thakur – Associate Vice President, Genie Labs
2:20–2:40 PM: Biopesticides and Biofertilizers by Dr. Basavaraj – Expert in Sustainable Agriculture
2:40–3:20 PM: Panel Discussion on “Agriculture for Beverages: Challenges & Opportunities for Farmers, StartUps & MSMEs” moderated by Dr. Jagadish Mittur – IBioM President
3:20-4:00 PM: Startup Pitches and Success Stories
4:00-4:30 PM: Tea Break
4:30-4:50 PM: Cutting-Edge Genomics Meets Practical Applications by Dr. Raja Mugasimangalam – QTL omics CEO
4:50-5:10 PM: Innovative Solution Showcase IRRI Saver: A microbiome-based solution for drought tolerance by Dr. Muniaswamy – Director OxonEx Biological Private Ltd.
5:10-5:30 PM: Eco-Intelligent Farming: Advancing Residue-Free Pest and Nutrition Management by Dr Purushottam Dewang- Founder MD & Chief Scientific Officer, CropG1 Agro Research
5:30-5:45 PM: Conclusion & Vote of Thanks
5:45-6:00 PM: Distribution of Certificates
7:00 PM: Gala Dinner

Meeting Report

Registration, Lunch & Networking:

The 46^th IBioM BBS Meet occurred in University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Conference Hall at the Agri Genomics Workshop & Seminar jointly organized with QTL Omics on 21^st Dec 2024 (Saturday). On-spot registration was available for interested members to take part in the Agri Biotech MSME Meet. The participants were welcomed with an excellent, tasteful vegetarian lunch organized at the Botanical Gardens, GKVK.

Welcome Note & Introduction: Raja Mugasimangalam (QTL omics, Founder CEO) welcomed the participants to the Agri Biotech MSME Meet & introduced Mr. Shekhar Suman (Biotecnika, Founder CEO) as the host of the IBioM 46^th BBS Meet. Mr. Shekar Suman welcomed all the participants and gave a brief introduction to the crowd about IBioM and its recent updates and progress.

Welcome note by Prof. Sheshasayee – Department of Plant Physiology, UAS Bangalore: Sheshasayee gave a brief introduction and had an interesting discussion with the participants regarding the current scenario of startups in India and the possible reasons contributing to its failure to scale up, in contrast to Japan where 80% of their startups seem to scale up.

Genomics in Private Sector Plant Breeding: Myths, Realities, and Market Impact: Following the welcome note by Prof. Sheshasayee, Dr Sharan Angadi (Director of Foundation for Advanced Training in Plant Breeding, ATPBR) gave a talk with a detailed presentation. He gave an introduction to ATPBR which is a not for profit organization, where they try to develop and then disseminate the practical plant breeding knowledge.

He explained the analysis of market driven specifics regarding plant breeding, consumer trends, regulatory compliances, etc.

Development of Molecular Tools for Agriculture: Dr Manish Kumar Thakur (Associate Vice President, Genie Labs) gave an engaging lecture by exploring various topics. He began the talk by providing a brief introduction to Genie Labs, explaining its R&D, Manufacturing Capabilities, Infrastructure and new products.

Biopesticides and Biofertilizer: Basavaraj, an expert in Sustainable Agriculture, briefly introduced himself and his journey in the industry to the participants at the meeting. He went to explain the applications and impacts of Biopesticides & Biofertilizers in the industry and environment.

Agriculture for Beverages: Challenges & Opportunities for Farmers, StartUps & MSMEs: Jagadish Mittur, President of IBioM, moderated the panel discussion, comprising of panelists – Dr. Gajanan Bochare RICO (Vineyards & Wineries), Mr. Pious Thomas (Thomas Biotech), Mr. Senthil Kumar (GPS Institute for Agricultural Management), Dr. Kashif Shariff (Mercuri Biotechnologies) and Dr. Veerendra Patil (VP at FPO) ,Dr. Jagadish Mittur begin the session by providing a brief introduction of each of the panelists to the participants and welcoming them.

All the panelists gave a brief explanation about their organization, product and current research and its applications. The panel board shared interesting views on innovative approaches, opportunities and challenges for startups in the Agri Biotech industry.

Tea & Refreshments: Following the panel discussion, a brief tea break was taken for the participants to be refreshed. The speakers and the participants were served hot coffee and tea along with biscuits.

Eco-Intelligent Farming: Advancing Residue-Free Pest and Nutrition Management: Following the tea break, Dr Purushottam Dewang, Founder MD & Chief Scientific Officer of CropG1 Agro Research, gave a presentation on Eco Intelligent Farming. He explained what semiochemicals are, its use age in biocontrol and its different classifications.

Conclusion: Following the talk of Dr. Purushottam Dewang, Dr. Raja Mugasimangalam (QTL Omics Founder) concluded the meeting by thanking all the Dr. Sheshasayee and the University of Agriculture (UAS) for hosting the 46^th Monthly Meeting of IBioM. He thanked the sponsors for their generous contribution and thanked all the speakers for sharing their interesting views and updates in the field of Agri Biotech and Startup Industry.

Dr. Raja Mugasimangalam thanked all the volunteers from Dr. Shesha’s labs, QTL Omics and IBioM. He thanked all the particpants for their intrest and participation the Agri Genomics Workshop and Seminar conducted.

The meeting was concluded by announcing the winners of the Quiz conducted during the Meet and the distribution of certifcates to the participants.