Experts discuss rural entrepreneurship and startups in technical education workshop

Apeejay Institute of Management & Engineering Technical Campus (AIMETC), Rama Mandi, Jalandhar, hosted a five-day short-term course for professors on “Micro and Small Rural Incubation in Technical Institutions.” The Faculty Development Programme (FDP) was sponsored by the Rural Development Department of National Institute of Teachers’ Training & Research (NITTR), Chandigarh.

The inaugural session’s resource person was Dr Hemant Kumar Vinayak, associate professor at NITTR Chandigarh, known for his extensive knowledge and intellectual contributions in the areas of startups, innovation, incubation centres, rural entrepreneurship, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), startup and management, and small enterprise management, among others.

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On the first day of the FDP, Dr Rajesh Bagga, Director of AIMETC, delivered a welcome address. He emphasised the significance of micro and small rural incubation in the present times as it contributes to the overall economic development of a nation. He also discussed how the growth and development of rural industries bring forth various opportunities, and incubation centres serve as platforms for startups, promoting self-employment and facilitating broader economic and industrial activities.

During his address, Dr Vinayak focused on the workshop’s objective regarding micro and small rural incubation in technical Institutions. He shared several case studies and success stories of entrepreneurs from rural areas who achieved success in their startups due to their creative and innovative ideas.

The faculty members also visited the incubation centre of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU), maintained by Tata Motors Group. They were provided with a demonstration of the functioning of a car engine and other machinery parts, as well as the operation of a three-dimensional (3D) printer and a hydraulic press machine. Dr Vinayak shared his valuable knowledge, explaining the entire process and functioning of incubation centres during the visit to IKGPTU’s incubation centre.

Among the resource persons for the following days were Anurag Arora, founder & CEO, Mink Organics, who stressed the importance of incubators during his address. He talked about how the concept of ‘jugaad’ in India is inspired by innovation and an attempt to find low-cost solutions.

Meanwhile, Er Savita Singh, assistant general manager (District Development), Jalandhar & Ferozpur, National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), spoke of the importance of agricultural funding schemes and government-led training programmes for agricultural entrepreneurs.

Kundan Lal, assistant director, Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), talked about the various innovation schemes for young entrepreneurs and students with a passion for startups.

Moreover, Dr Srikant Sahoo, principal, Northern Regional Demonstration & Training Centre, National Dairy Development Board, Jalandhar, shared his expertise in dairy farming and how to derive revenue from it.

Dr Vinayak also shared insights on MSME schemes while encouraging people to enroll in my.msme.gov.in. He also shared various startup ideas and how they could be set up easily with limited resources and government support.

The audience was further introduced to various horticulture schemes, land development schemes, and government subsidies by Dr Sukhdip Singh Hundal, Deputy Director Horticulture, Kapurthala -cum- State Nodal Officer Cucurbits & Kitchen Gardening, Punjab. He guided students and faculty members about organic farming and how to build horticulture startups.

As part of the workshops, the participants also visited Dairy Kingz Milk Farm at Khanowal, a village in Kapurthala, and Verka Milk Plant, Jalandhar, where faculty members witnessed the process of milking, packing fresh milk, and maintenance of livestock.

Dr Bagga expressed his gratitude to the resource persons for sharing expert insights and spreading awareness about government schemes. He also presented mementos to the speakers and spoke at length about emerging employment or entrepreneurial opportunities in a vibrant and dynamic Indian economy.