SHITIJ 2026 Bootcamp on Innovation, Plant Health and Precision Agriculture

16 Jan 2026

The Sharda School of Agricultural Sciences, Sharda University, in collaboration with the Food Science & Technology, Sharda School of Bio-Science & Technology, proposes to organize the SHITIJ 2026 Bootcamp in association with ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The programme is jointly implemented by six premier ICAR institutes and supported by the National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF). The bootcamp aims to promote innovation, research translation, and entrepreneurial orientation among undergraduate students and early-stage agri-innovators, with a special focus on Plant Health and Precision Agriculture. It will provide structured pre-incubation support, expert mentoring by ICAR scientists and startup professionals, exposure to ICAR research infrastructure on a need basis, and guidance on funding facilitation and pilot opportunities. Students from agriculture and food science disciplines will gain exposure to national innovation ecosystems and emerging startup pathways. The key objectives of the event are to foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking among students, facilitate research translation and mentoring through interaction with ICAR scientists and agri-startup experts, and create awareness about plant health, precision agriculture technologies, and national agri innovation ecosystems. The programme was featured an expert lecture by Dr. Manisha Mani, Innovation Lead, PUSA KRISHI ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, Ms. Abha Toppo, PUSA KRISHI ICAR–Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.