Patna: A national conference on agriculture technology and management has been held in Patna, bringing together academics, policymakers and industry experts to discuss how innovation and strategic practices can reshape India’s agricultural sector.
The National Conference on Agriculture Technology and Management (NCATM 2026), organised at the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna, took place today in a hybrid format, with participants joining both in person and online.
The event opened with an inaugural session at the institute’s auditorium, where speakers stressed the need for collaborative platforms to address contemporary agricultural challenges. The conference was formally welcomed by Rana Singh, director of the institute, who highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in agriculture. An overview of the conference was presented by Vijaya, underlining its focus on integrating technology with management practices.
The chief guest, Birendra Prasad Yadav, special secretary in Bihar’s agriculture department, said technological innovation was playing a transformative role not only in farming but also across healthcare and the wider economy. He emphasised that advancements in areas such as digitalisation and green technologies could boost productivity, strengthen food security and support sustainable development, while calling for more effective management frameworks.
Across five technical sessions, participants examined a wide range of themes, including agri-business challenges, foreign direct investment in Bihar’s agricultural sector, and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, agri-fintech and the circular economy. Discussions also focused on farmer producer organisations, precision agriculture and smart farming techniques aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability.
Researchers presented work on innovations such as automated seed grading using deep learning, as well as mechanisation solutions designed to improve harvesting efficiency. Broader conversations addressed how strategic management approaches could support small and medium-sized agri-enterprises and encourage rural entrepreneurship.
The conference concluded with a valedictory session summarising key insights from the discussions, including the growing role of AI-driven analytics, IoT applications and policy frameworks in shaping the future of agriculture. Academic contributions were recognised through best paper awards.
Organisers said the conference underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices in addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector, positioning technology and management as central to its future development.
