The Agri Youth Parliament – 2026, themed “Futuristic Agriculture for North East Bharat: Sustainability, Innovations and Opportunities”, was successfully organized from 21st to 23rd March 2026 at Imphal by Agrivision in collaboration with the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, along with the Student Experience in Interstate Living initiative. The programme aimed to provide a dynamic platform for students, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to deliberate on the future of agriculture in North East Bharat, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, innovation, startup ecosystems, and strengthening farm-to-market linkages.

The inaugural session was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji, in the esteemed presence of distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Anupam Mishra (Vice Chancellor, CAU Imphal), Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa (Vice Chancellor, AAU Jorhat), Prof. K. Nandini Devi (Dean, College of Agriculture, CAU Imphal), Prof. Indira Sarangthem (Organising Secretary), Shri Kamal Nayan (Zonal Organising Secretary, ABVP), Shri Kamlesh Singh (National Secretary, ABVP), Shri Manish Fate (National Convenor, Agrivision), and Miss Roshni Sharma (Organizing Convener). In his inaugural address, the Governor highlighted the immense potential of North East India as a hub for organic agriculture and emphasized the need to empower youth to take up entrepreneurship and contribute to national development through innovative agricultural practices.

The three-day programme featured 32 exhibitions, startup showcases, and three comprehensive technical sessions addressing key aspects of modern agriculture. The first technical session focused on agri-startups and entrepreneurial ecosystems in North East Bharat, covering responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, integration of tribal communities into startup ecosystems, addressing last-mile challenges, and promoting the transition from traditional farming to agripreneurship including a woman made cloth from banana plant fibres. The second session emphasized technological advancements such as AI-driven smart horticulture, assisted reproductive technologies in the dairy sector, innovations in pearl culture and the blue economy, and the scope of aquapreneurship for rural development, highlighting opportunities for commercialization and scaling. The third technical session concentrated on farm-to-market systems, value chains, and market-led agriculture, discussing the integration of AI, remote sensing, and GIS technologies, sustainable agribusiness models, circular economy approaches through agricultural waste utilization, and success stories in aquaculture and ecosystem development. These sessions witnessed active participation from 18 experts, 6 chairpersons, 6 panelists, 12 rapporteurs, progressive entrepreneurs, and students, fostering meaningful discussions, knowledge exchange, and practical insights.

Additionally, the programme provided a platform for students to present their innovative ideas and research through more than 70 oral and poster presentations, encouraging scientific thinking and problem-solving approaches toward agricultural and rural challenges in the given themes.

A significant highlight of the event was the wide participation of students from across North East Bharat, including Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Students from various agricultural colleges affiliated with CAU, Imphal, along with participants from NEHU (Shillong), Assam Agricultural University (Jorhat), and Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, took part in the programme. In total, around 400 students from four universities, 30 professors, and nearly 200 dedicated student and professors as a volunteers from the College of Agriculture, CAU Imphal actively contributed to the success

of the event. The students engaged enthusiastically in all sessions, discussions, and activities, making the parliament highly interactive and impactful.

The event concluded with a grand valedictory session on 23rd March 2026 at the College of Agriculture, CAU, Imphal, graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, along with Dr. Anupam Mishra (Vice Chancellor, CAU Imphal), Dr. Prabha Shankar Shukla (Vice Chancellor, NEHU Shillong), Shri Kamal Nayan (Zonal Organising Secretary, ABVP), Dr. Amit Goswami (NAC Member, Agrivision), Shri Vikram Fraswan (National Incharge Agrivision), Prof. Indira Sarangthem (Organising Secretary) and Dr. Jeti Konsam (Co-Organising Secretary). The valedictory session highlighted the key outcomes of the Agri Youth Parliament, including student-led policy discussions, innovative solutions, and strategic recommendations for strengthening agriculture in North East Bharat.

Overall, the Agri Youth Parliament – 2026 successfully emerged as a vibrant platform for collaboration, innovation, and youth empowerment. It reinforced the critical role of young minds in driving sustainable agricultural transformation, promoting entrepreneurship, and contributing toward building a resilient and future-ready agricultural sector for the nation.