WTC Mumbai in association with Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) organized a workshop on “Green Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities” at Nagpur on 5th April 2016. While delivering his special address Dr. Vijay Ghawate, Joint Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra emphasized the need of technology and innovation in agriculture to attract the young entrepreneurs as they are not showing much interest in pursuing agriculture sector. It is important to give emphasize to protected cultivation, such as green houses as well as hi-tech cultivation. Technology and innovation can be induced in all stages of agricultural activities such as pre-production stage, production stage as well post harvest stage. Future lies in farmer’s producer companies for which adequate training programmes for farmers in essential, he added.

Dr. Vijay Ghawate, Joint Director of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra addressing the workshop

Mr. Arun Sehgal, Chairman of Chempro Group of Companies spoke on the growth and prospects of the pharmaceutical industry in India and its potential to steer the industry ahead to a much higher level. Mr. D. K. Nangia, Deputy General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) made presentation on the role of ITPO in India’s Trade Promotion as well the important international exhibitions organized by them. Mr. A. O. Kuruvila, Advisor – Trade & Education made a presentation on the concept of WTC and the services and facilities offered by WTC Mumbai. Mr. Y. R. Warerkar, Executive Director and Ms. Rupa Naik, Director – Projects also interacted with the students delegation.

Mr.Arun Sehgal conducting the workshop

Dr. Navin Chandra, ex Chairman , State Experts Appraisal Committee (Mining) talked about the Bulk Utilisation of Industrial Wastes and Dr.T.Karunakaran, Secretary MSS Magan Sangrahalaya talked about the opportunities in Rural Industries. Mr. Anand Jajodia , Secretary, Krishi Arogya & Vigyan Sanstha gave a live demonstration on the opportunities in Plant Nursery Business.

Earlier Mr.A.O.Kuruvila on his introductory remarks mentioned that despite persisting problems and challenges that green entrepreneurs face on a daily basis, the challenges of Green entrepreneurship provide great opportunities for countries as well as individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit. Green entrepreneurs are embracing environmental values as a core component of their identity and seeing them as a competitive advantage of their company in the market place. He also briefed about the concept of WTC and elaborated on the net-working opportunities available for the companies who are connected with WTC encouraged the participants to be part of this global network.

The workshop was well attended by over 80 delegates.