Krishi Manthan 2026 Concludes Successfully: 21-Day National Summer School Brings Together Eminent Agricultural Scientists, Academicians and Industry Experts
The 21-Day Krishi Manthan Summer School Training Program, organized from 1–21 June 2026, concluded successfully with overwhelming participation from students, researchers, academicians, scientists, extension professionals, and entrepreneurs from across the country.
The prestigious academic program was jointly organized by Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU), Meerut, U.P; Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University (RLBCAU), Jhansi; University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Raichur; GD Goenka University, Gurugram; Sant Gahira Guru Vishwavidyalaya (SGGV), Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with AFTEFS Society and VITAL BIOTECH Education group Kota Rajasthan through the virtual platform.
The Summer School was conducted under the theme:
“Transforming Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry through Modern Science for Food Security, Environmental Sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development.”
Over twenty-one days, participants benefited from expert lectures, interactive discussions, skill-development sessions, entrepreneurship-oriented learning modules, and exposure to contemporary advancements in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, environmental sciences, fisheries, animal sciences, natural resource management, and agricultural innovation.
Distinguished Leadership and Inaugural Dignitaries
The program commenced on 1 June 2026 in the presence of eminent academicians and administrators from leading agricultural institutions.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by:
- Mrs. Stuti Narain Kacker, Hon’ble Chancellor, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut
- Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut
- Prof. A.K. Singh, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi
- Prof. M. Hanumanthappa, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur
- Prof. Rajendra Lakpale, Vice-Chancellor, Sant Gahira Guru Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh
- Dr. S.R.K. Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Jabalpur
- Prof. M. Malla Reddy, PJTAU, Hyderabad and Vice President, Indian Society of Agronomy (South Zone)
Guests of Honour included:
- Prof. Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya, Dean, Research and Development Cell, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University
- Prof. Amaregouda A., Director of Research, UAS Raichur
- Prof. Manish Srivastav, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, RLBCAU, Jhansi
- Prof. Shiv Singh Tomar, Dean, School of Agricultural Sciences, GD Goenka University
Prof. Vaibhav Goel Bhartiya, Dean, R&D Cell and chairperson of the summer school training, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, appreciated the collective efforts of all partner institutions, speakers, and participants, and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable agricultural development through such impactful academic initiative; while Dr. Lubhan Singh (Additional Director, Research and convener) emphasized the importance of translating scientific knowledge into practical agricultural solutions and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration; Dr. Anirudh Srivastava, (Associate Professor and co-convener) highlighted the role of skill development, research excellence, and technology–driven innovations in shaping the future of agriculture. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Nisha Rana, Assistant Professor, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, whose efforts were instrumental in the successful conduct of the event.
Eminent National and International Experts Delivered Lectures
The Summer School featured a distinguished lineup of experts from premier universities, ICAR institutes, international organizations, and government departments.
Key speakers included:
- Dr. S.K. Goyal, Professor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- Dr. R.S. Meena, Professor, Banaras Hindu University
- Dr. Sanjay Swami, Dean, School of Natural Resource Management, Umiam (Barapani), Meghalaya
- Dr. Swati Sharma, Professor (ABM), Navsari Agricultural University Gujrat
- Dr. Sudhanand Prasad Lal, RPCAU, Pusa
- Prof. Manish Srivastav, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, RLBCAU
- Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, RLBCAU
- Dr. Satendra Singh, Scientist, KVK Tikamgarh
- Dr. Shumaila Shahid, Scientist (Senior Scale), ICAR-IARI, New Delhi
- Mr. Nilesh Shankar Rathod, District Agriculture Officer, Amravati, Maharashtra
- Dr. S.P. Vista, Chief and Senior Scientist, National Soil Science Research Center, Nepal
- Dr. Arnab Banerjee, Head, Department of Environmental Science, SGGV, Ambikapur
- Dr. Inna Koblianska, Professor and Head, Sumy State University, Ukraine
- Dr. Pooja Tamboli, Scientist, IGFRI, Jhansi – Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science
- Dr. Dhammaprakash Pandhari Wankhede, Senior Scientist, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi Dr. Manoj Kumar Jhariya, Head, Department of Farm Forestry, SGGV
- Dr. Sudhir Kumar Rajpoot, BHU, Varanasi
- Dr. Deep Narayan Singh, Associate Professor and Head, BASU, Patna
Major Themes Covered
The programme comprehensively addressed:
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
- Climate-Smart Farming Practices
- Natural Resource Management
- Forestry and Agroforestry
- Horticultural Innovations
- Agricultural Engineering and Food Processing
- Soil Health and Nutrient Management
- Plant Protection and Disease Management
- Fisheries and Aquaculture
- Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sciences
- Genomic Resources and Biodiversity Conservation
- Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Start-up Development
- Agricultural Value Chain Strengthening
- Skill Development and Rural Innovation
Valedictory Session
The valedictory session held on 21 June 2026 marked the successful completion of the Summer School. Participants shared positive feedback regarding the quality of expert lectures, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, networking with scientists, and practical exposure to emerging agricultural technologies. Dr. Jitendra Mehta, President, AFTEFS Society, expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the 21-Day Krishi Manthan Summer School and stated that the collaboration among leading universities, scientific institutions, and experts has created a strong platform for advancing agricultural knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development among youth.
Dr. Jatya Mehta, Vice President, AFTEFS Society, remarked that the Summer School reflected the power of academic collaboration and knowledge sharing, enabling participants to learn from eminent scientists and professionals while strengthening their skills, research aptitude, and readiness to address future agricultural challenges.
The collaborating institutions expressed their commitment to organizing similar academic initiatives in the future to strengthen agricultural education, research, and sustainable development. The organizers highlighted that the programme successfully created a national platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity building among young agricultural professionals.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and appreciation to all speakers, dignitaries, partner institutions, organizers, and participants for making Krishi Manthan 2026 a grand academic success.
“Empowering Minds, Enriching Futures, Transforming Agriculture.”
