Under the Student Startup & innovation Policy-SSIP 2.0 of Govt. of Gujarat; a FULL Day MEGA Sensitization & Outreach Trg. Programme on “Innovating Agriculture: Startups and Entrepreneurship Opportunities by Cultivating Entrepreneurial Mindset” was organized for PG & Ph. D. students of the ASPEE Agribusiness Management Institute, NAU, Navsari on October 13, 2026. After the welcome address of Principal of AABMI and Trg. Co-Convener Dr. Jayesh J. Pastagia; Dr. Swati S. Shamra – University Coordinator of SSIP 2.0 & Trg. Director briefed all about the SSIP 2.0 scheme and the progress made till date. Trg. Director & University Co-Coordinator of SSIP 2.0 Dr. Mehul G. Thakkar encouraged the participants to abandon the mentality of being a desperate job seeker and take advantage of robust entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem of the University by becoming progressive job giver or creator. Chairman of Nodal Centre of SSIP 2.0 and Trg. Convener Dr. Timur R. Ahlawat appreciated the rigorous efforts of the SSIP Team comprising of Dr. Jayesh J. Pastagia, Dr. Mehul G. Thakkar, Dr. Swati S. Sharma, Dr. M. S. Sanakanur and Dr. Kiran N. Patel for enabling 39 agri-startups during the last 3 cycles of the scheme; and appraised all about various initiatives being taken to ignite a spark among the students and staff of the University to take-up entrepreneurial ventures in agri. & allied fields.

Finally, as the President of the Inaugural Ceremony of this 1^st Ever Trg. under SSIP 2.0 for 2026-27; Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajendra M. Naik advised the young students to feel relaxed, keep smiling as the all the staff of the University are always there for students’ wellbeing and career dreams. He highlighted the vital role of entrepreneurship in economic development by promoting innovation, generating employment and creating new business opportunities; and briefed that agriculture offers tremendous opportunities for entrepreneurship in precision farming, agricultural mechanization, food processing, value addition, agri-marketing, supply chain management and digital agriculture. He encouraged the students to use their scientific knowledge and technical skills to develop innovative solutions for farmers and the agribusiness sector. He emphasized that today's full day sensitization programme is a valuable opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship, understand the support available under SSIP 2.0 and get motivated to explore innovative ideas. He also released 2 Professional Brochures designed by Dr. Mehul G. Thakkar; for inviting applications for the 4^th Cycle of SSIP 2.0 and the 3^rd Batch of pioneering unique course of PGC-FPO.

Then, 5 Lead Trainers including Dr. Jayesh J. Pastagia, Dr. Mehul G. Thakkar, Dr. Swati S. Sharma, Dr. M. S. Sankanur and Dr. Vaibhav N. Mehta delivered insightful sessions along with fruitful interactions with Dr. Krishna A. Parmar – one of the SSIP 2.0 beneficiary alumni of NAU and now a successful Agripreneur. 72 MBA (ABM) and Ph. D. (ABM) students got benefited by this full day training from 8:30 am to 5:15 pm.