Pune: In a strategic move to equip India’s defense personnel with entrepreneurial skills in agriculture and rural development, the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), in collaboration with the Centre for International Cooperation and Training in Agricultural Banking (CICTAB), has inaugurated a two-month training initiative titled Innovations and Agribusiness Management.
The program, which runs from May 26 to July 18, 2025, is tailored to support 40 retiring officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, helping them transition into impactful post-retirement roles within the agribusiness and cooperative sectors.
“This course is meticulously designed to spark innovation, promote self-reliance, and develop entrepreneurial capabilities among defense personnel,” said Dr Shantanu Ghosh, Registrar, VAMNICOM, during the inaugural session.
The event featured CDR Rahil Rai, Joint Director at DRZ (South), as the Chief Guest, alongside key VAMNICOM faculty members including Dr Amit Borkar and Dr Dhananjay Gaikwad.
“This initiative is not just about career transition; it’s about nation-building,” CDR Rahil Rai remarked. “Empowering our defense forces with agribusiness knowledge can catalyze rural innovation and economic growth.”
Innovations and Agribusiness Management Course Highlights:
- Hands-on workshops, case studies, and field visits
- In-depth exposure to agribusiness models, supply chain innovation, and cooperative management
- Guidance from industry leaders and academic experts
- Focus on building viable agri-entrepreneurial ventures
National Impact Through Agripreneurship
By merging the leadership skills of defense personnel with advanced training in agriculture and cooperative strategies, the Innovations and Agribusiness Management program aims to drive grassroots transformation and sustainable livelihood creation across rural India.
Innovations and Agribusiness Management
The initiative underlines VAMNICOM’s broader mission of building capacity for inclusive economic growth through skill development in agriculture, rural banking, and cooperative sectors.
The launch event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Amit Borkar, expressing appreciation for the collective support from defense services and academic institutions to make this program a success.
