Innovating Agriculture and Water Management: Dr. Radhika Trikha and IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation (iHub – AWaDH) at the Helm!

Innovating Agriculture and Water Management: Dr. Radhika Trikha and IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation (iHub – AWaDH) at the Helm!

Innovating Agriculture and Water Management

Innovating Agriculture and Water Management | IIT Ropar Technology

Think about the last meal you ate. From the farm where the ingredients were grown to the water used in its preparation, technology plays an increasingly vital role in every step of the food supply chain. This intersection of tradition and innovation transforms how we produce and manage our essential resources.

Agriculture is revolutionized by leveraging the newest technologies. From drones monitoring crops to AI-powered irrigation systems, the future of farming is undeniably digital. Today, farmers can predict crop yields with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing waste and maximizing productivity. Water resources are managed so efficiently that scarcity becomes a thing of the past. This is the promise of technology in agriculture and water management, and it’s closer than you think.

In this rapidly evolving landscape, innovation and collaboration between academia, industry, and government are crucial for addressing national priorities like food security. Institutions bridging these gaps are key to India’s development.

At the forefront is the IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation. Established in 2020 under the DST’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems implemented by Ministry of Science & Technology, this Section 8 (not-for-profit) company, hosted at IIT Ropar, is led by Project Director Dr Pushpendra Pal Singh, Dean R&D, IIT Ropar & CEO Dr. Radhika Trikha. With a background in microbial biotechnology, science policy research, and government experience, Dr. Trikha brings diverse expertise to the Foundation.

The Foundation focuses on developing and deploying cyber-physical system technologies (AI, IoT, automation) for agriculture and water; supporting deep-tech startups; and building a skilling platform in these areas, targeting everyone from students to professionals. Their projects, like the “Digital Entomologist” for biodiversity monitoring and “MoooSense” for monitoring livestock health, demonstrate their commitment to practical solutions.

From AI-powered “Livestock Monitoring System” to “digital insect detectives”, IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation team is turning science fiction into farming reality. As CEO, this trailblazing leader is driving a revolution in agriculture and water management with cutting-edge technologies, startup support, and skilling programs—all while balancing life as a mom and mentor.
In this edition of “India’s Most Ambitious Women Leader of The Year 2025,” we spotlight CEO Dr. Radhika Trikha. Learn from her insights and science, technology and innovation journey as she builds a best-in-class organization. Dive into her story of innovation, grit, and the dream of a smarter, greener future!

Prime Insights: Tell me about the company.

The IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation (iHub – AWaDH) stands as a beacon of technological advancement in India’s agriculture and water sectors. Established under the Department of Science & Technology’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM – ICPS), this hub is dedicated to developing sustainable and profitable agricultural practices, ensuring quality food for all, and preserving biodiversity.

  • Vision and Mission: iHub – AWaDH envisions environmentally sustainable and profitable agriculture, quality food for all, and the preservation of biodiversity. Its mission is to provide technological solutions to agricultural and water-related challenges by deploying Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) across various technology verticals.
  • Core Focus Areas: The foundation concentrates on several key domains:
    • Agriculture Automation & Information Systems: Enhancing farming efficiency through advanced automation and data-driven insights.
    • Water Treatment & Management: Developing innovative solutions for water quality assessment, treatment, and sustainable management.
    • Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS): Integrating IoT and CPS technologies to revolutionize agricultural and water management practices.
    • Stubble Management Systems & Urban Farming: Addressing crop residue management and promoting urban agricultural practices.
    • Nuclear Applications in Agriculture & Water: Utilizing nuclear technology for soil and water contamination assessment and remediation.
    • Water & Soil Assessment Processes: Implementing CPS-enabled tools to monitor and improve environmental quality.
  • Achievements and Impact: Since its inception, iHub – AWaDH has made significant strides:
    • Funding and Support: Secured INR 110 crore from DST NMICPS and an additional INR 5 crore from Startup India, facilitating deep-tech research and innovation. In addition, IIT Ropar TIF AWaDH has secured support for accelerating the deeptech entrepreneurial ecosystem with support from DST NIDHI scheme, MeitY Genesis and funding support from Corporates such as HDFC under their HDFC Parivartan scheme and Puri Oil Mills.
    • Startup Ecosystem: Nurtured over 110 startups, collectively raising more than INR 109 crore in investments, with valuations exceeding INR 1,200 crore.
    • Intellectual Assets: Developed over 70+ technologies and amassed more than 180 intellectual properties, contributing to a robust innovation pipeline.
    • Employment and Training: Created over 1200 jobs, trained more than 3,000 individuals, and nurtured over 5,000 CPS leaders, bolstering the nation’s skilled workforce.

The foundation actively collaborates with industry partners, academic institutions, and government bodies to foster a holistic innovation ecosystem. Its outreach programs have established multiple Cyber-Physical Systems labs across the country, including recent expansions into the Northeast and Ladakh regions, promoting technological advancement nationwide.

Prime Insights: What is the inception of the company, and how did it all begin?

Our journey began in 2018 with the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) inception of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. This ambitious mission aimed to establish technology and innovation hubs at leading institutes. In 2020, IIT Ropar was selected, and our company was formed as a Section 8 (not-for-profit) entity through a tripartite agreement between IIT Ropar, DST, and ourselves. We were created to focus on R&D, innovation, entrepreneurship, and skilling. We celebrate our foundation on December 2nd, marking our fourth anniversary previous month in 2024.

Prime Insights: Please share the inception story of your company. How did it all begin?

IIT Ropar TIF with an expertise in Smart and digital agriculture is aggressively pushing for following key pillars:
The first one is that we are Technology Development and Deployment, and we are deploying these technologies. When I say technologies, these are the cyber-physical system led emerging technologies.
Like, we are living in a world of cyber-physical systems, artificial intelligence, and the Internet. So we are bringing these kinds of technologies, be it AI technologies, automation technologies, or you can say technologies based on the Internet of Things and machine learning.
So we are bringing them to two specific key areas. one is agriculture, another one is water. And, this is one pillar in which we are working on the service that we are providing. We’re developing technologies, and we are commercializing and deploying them in fields.
The second, pillar in which the company is aggressively working is promoting the deep tech innovation and entrepreneurship. We, as a company, are providing startups and budding entrepreneurs with facilitated support. Financially in terms of technical mentoring, in terms of giving them resources in the form of labs, and facilitative support.
The 3rd pillar where the services that we are doing, we are creating a cyber-physical system skilling platform across the country through ‘AWaDH CPS Labs’ across the country and bringing various Training, internships and skilling programs. We are also doing several faculty development programs from time to time. We are doing programs for school children as well as preparing school children to take better career decisions. We are doing it for the youth. We are doing it for a start-up. So altogether, the skilling in AI, skilling in IoT that has been provided by, the company in which I’m working.

Prime Insights: How was your journey as a business leader till this current position?

I’m academically trained as a microbial biotechnologist, earning gold medals in both my graduation and post-graduation in this field, followed by a doctorate in microbiology from Punjab University, Chandigarh under prestigious INSPIRE fellowship from Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India. After my doctorate, I transitioned into science administration and governance, spending about eight years as a science policy researcher, working as Scientist C and D at a DST-established policy research center within Punjab University and Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore. I pursued postdoctoral research and senior policy fellowship, focusing on industry-academia collaborations, public-private partnerships, and international S&T engagements.
During this time, I gained extensive experience in science policymaking, even contributing to the draft of the National Science Technology Innovation Policy 2020 of the Ministry of Science and Technology initiatives. My work involved mapping and connecting key stakeholders in science, technology, and innovation. Before joining IIT Ropar, I worked with the government on these policy matters. I initially joined IIT Ropar as COO, managing the company’s operations, and after a year, I was promoted to CEO, now overseeing the execution of our work across our three pillars: startups, skilling, and technology development.

Prime Insights: How do you maintain a balance between your personal life and professional responsibilities?

Everyone should have a fine balance between professional and personal life. I am blessed with one daughter. She’s 6 years old, and her name is Aadya . For that balance your family has to be very supportive. And, luckily, I have a very supportive family, both my parents and my in-laws and my husband. They support me in terms of how to divide the tasks at home.
And, then we have a very good working environment also where weekends are entirely devoted to our home and managing all the household things. And it’s a very supportive environment that we offer that helps you to maintain that professional and personal life balance.

Prime Insights: What are the initial challenges you faced with this new mission that the government has implemented?

Initially, the primary challenge was determining the appropriate operational structure. Establishing a Section 8 company provided the necessary operational flexibility to efficiently execute tasks and effectively address the targets set by the government.
Establishing these close linkages and understanding what the industry and market need from emerging technologies is crucial, especially given the global competition in fields like AI. We need to develop impactful technologies that can compete on the world stage, so understanding the current market and its technological needs is paramount.
Finally, a key challenge is bridging the gap between technology development in academic institutions and its real-world implementation by end-users. The time it takes for research to reach the market is often substantial. As a Section 8 company, we’re actively working to shorten this timeframe, bringing these technologies to the market for the benefit of our country and to enhance India’s global presence. These are the three main challenges we’ve faced.

Prime Insights: As a women leader, do you feel your story of struggle is different from others? If so, how?

I believe that struggles are universal, regardless of gender. A male leader would also face challenges and would need to put in the same effort to uphold their values, just as a woman does. Struggles are a constant part of life; they exist at every stage. Even as students, we encounter struggles in school, and as we climb the ladder of life, new challenges arise at every step.
While the nature of struggles may vary, the important thing is how these experiences shape and teach us. Each challenge brings valuable lessons, helping us grow and prepare for what lies ahead.

Prime Insights: What kind of innovation goes on in the hub, or what kind of clients do you serve with those innovations?

At IIT Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Hub, agriculture is a cornerstone of our mission. Recognizing that agriculture forms the backbone of India’s agrarian economy, we are developing transformative technologies to revolutionize the farming landscape. Many of these innovations have already been commercialized and are making a tangible impact in the market, with a clear focus on empowering farmers and state governments.

Transformative Technologies for Farmers

Biodiversity Monitoring System – “Digital Entomologist”
One of our flagship projects is the Biodiversity Monitoring System, branded as the “Digital Entomologist.” This groundbreaking technology leverages high-powered cameras to capture detailed images of insects -evels, and mating patterns. Farmers receive real-time insights via a mobile-friendly dashboard, offering actionable advice such as introducing more pollinators if bee populations are low. This project, in collaboration with global institutions like Syngenta, the Alliance of Biodiversity, Fraunhofer Institutes and French research institutes, aims to enhance farm productivity by understanding and mitigating the effects of biodiversity changes.

Livestock Health Monitoring System – “MoooSense”

Recognizing the importance of livestock in India’s agricultural ecosystem, we developed the Livestock Health Monitoring System, branded as “MoooSense.”A small collar is fitted around the cow’s neck to monitor its temperature, activity levels, and overall health. The system alerts farmers in real time if a cow shows signs of illness, such as high temperature or inactivity. This technology helps isolate sick animals, preventing disease spread and ensuring timely medical intervention.
The technology has been successfully commercialized through Mooo Farm and deployed in regions like Ropar, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, enhancing livestock health management practices.

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring System

Water management is critical to agriculture, and we have developed a Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring System to ensure safe and sustainable water use. This device provides instant readings of key water quality parameters, such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and chlorine levels.
It assesses whether water is drinkable or suitable for agricultural purposes.
The technology has been adopted by state governments to monitor water quality in treatment plants, ensuring clean water supply for various applications.

Nanobubble Technology: NanoKriti, an IIT Ropar-incubated company supported by IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation, has successfully developed and implemented advanced nanobubble technology across various sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, water treatment, and more. Nanobubbles are ultra-fine bubbles, typically 50-120 nanometers in diameter, known for their extraordinary longevity and unique properties.

  • In agriculture, NanoKriti’s nanobubble generators enhance crop growth and sustainability by improving water quality and increasing oxygen levels in irrigation systems.
  • In aquaculture, their technology boosts water quality, energy efficiency, and disease reduction, leading to healthier and more productive aquatic environments.
  • NanoKriti’s nanobubble generators are also applied in wastewater treatment, providing efficient aeration, enhanced dissolved air flotation, and odor control, contributing to cleaner and more sustainable water management practices.

By deploying this innovative technology, NanoKriti addresses major challenges in energy, water, and food sectors, promoting environmental harmony and sustainable development.

Commitment to Farmers and Sustainability: All our efforts are directed toward benefiting the farming community, the lifeline of our economy. We maintain close ties with progressive farmers who actively engage with us to understand and adopt our innovations. Our goal is to provide actionable, real-time solutions that address the evolving challenges in agriculture and water management.
With global collaborations, cutting-edge technologies, and farmer-centric initiatives, IIT Ropar’s Technology Hub is making significant strides in transforming agriculture and ensuring sustainable growth for future generations.

Prime Insights: How do you keep up with the rapidly changing market trends in your industry?

We have a dedicated team focused on the business aspects of our technologies. With the rapid evolution of trends, particularly the growing emphasis on digital and smart agriculture, our team works diligently to ensure our innovations align with current market demands.
To achieve this, we actively engage with key stakeholders, including industry leaders, the farming community, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and social enterprises across the country. By understanding their specific needs and challenges, we tailor and refine our technologies to address these requirements effectively. This collaborative and need-driven approach ensures our solutions remain relevant and impactful in today’s dynamic agricultural landscape.

Prime Insights: What initiatives are going on in the company?

At IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation, we are dedicated to fostering technological advancements in agriculture and water management, alongside initiatives that empower communities and drive skill development. Through a range of programs, we focus on supporting startups, promoting skill enhancement, and commercializing cutting-edge technologies. Below are some of our flagship initiatives:

SAMRIDHI Initiative

The SAMRIDHI initiative supports startups working on innovative solutions in emerging technologies for agriculture and water. This program provides:

  • Financial Support: Startups can receive funding of up to INR 50 lakh.
  • Mentorship and Handholding: Guidance from industry and academic experts to refine and implement startup Businesses.
  • Focus on Inclusion: Special emphasis on startups led by underrepresented groups, offering both funding and capacity-building support to help them build and scale impactful technologies.

SPRINT Initiative

The SPRINT program is tailored for startups and researchers in the early stages of technology development.

  • Provides financial grants of up to INR 25 lakh.
  • Supports technology validation and commercialization efforts.
  • Focuses on bridging the gap between innovative ideas and market-ready solutions.

Operational Dronagiri: IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation is proud to contribute to Operational Dronagiri, a pilot project under National Geospatial Policy 2022 to demonstrate the potential applications of geospatial technologies and innovations in improving the quality of life of citizens and ease of doing business.
Operation Dronagiri gains a powerful backbone with support from Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI) and Geospatial Data Promotion and Development Committee (GDPDC). The activities under Operation Dranagiri will be overseen by IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF). The Geospatial Innovation Accelerators (GIAs) at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIM Calcutta and IIT Ropar will act as the operational arms of Operation Dronagiri.

India Digital Agriculture Council: The establishment of the India Digital Agriculture Forum, in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, marks a transformative milestone in the journey toward sustainable farming and technological innovation in Indian agriculture. This forum acts as a central platform, uniting stakeholders such as farmers, technology developers, policymakers, financial institutions, and consumers to drive collective action.

With digital agriculture at its core, the forum seeks to leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and data analytics to address critical agricultural challenges, enhance productivity, and promote financial inclusion. Its mission extends to ensuring food security for India’s growing population while making the farming sector more efficient, resilient, and profitable.
By fostering collaboration, advocating for policy reforms, supporting research and development, and facilitating market access, the India Digital Agriculture Forum is poised to catalyze a digital revolution in agriculture. This initiative envisions a future where innovation empowers farmers, strengthens rural economies, and secures sustainable agricultural practices for generations to come.

CSR Initiative – PRAGATI
Under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, the PRAGATI initiative in collaboration with Puri Oil Mills Ltd. aims to create inclusive opportunities for budding entrepreneurs.

WATER Innovation Challenge
This challenge is a call to innovators working on sustainable water solutions in collaboration with HDFC Bank under their scheme ‘Parivartan’.

  • Offers grants of up to INR 75 lakh for groundbreaking technologies in water quality monitoring, irrigation management, and conservation practices.
  • Encourages collaboration between startups, researchers, and state governments to address critical water-related challenges.
  • IIT Ropar TIF has launched impactful initiatives such as the ‘SWACH Accelerator’, in collaboration with Innovation Mission Punjab and the Indian Sanitation Coalition of FICCI, to foster entrepreneurial innovation in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) space.
  • IIT Ropar TIF has also built a robust network of partners to advance activities in agritech and watertech, with venture community partners actively collaborating to promote deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship. A key testament to this commitment is the ‘AWaDH Sustainability Accelerator Program,’ a dedicated investment partner-led initiative designed to accelerate deep-tech innovations in the field of sustainability.

Skilling and Capacity Building Initiatives

  • AWaDH CPS Labs: To foster hands-on learning and innovation, we have established 10 of such AWaDH CPS Labs in schools, colleges, and research institutes across the country. These labs provide real-world exposure to CPS technologies and inspire young minds to explore innovation in agriculture and water.
  • Training Programs and Workshops: Skill Development: Workshops and training programs in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT).
  • Empowerment through Education: Financial and technical support for educational institutions to establish CPS labs and conduct skilling initiatives.
  • Internships: Offering structured internship programs that allow students to work on live projects, gaining practical experience in technology development and application.

Supporting Technology Development and Commercialization

Our foundation emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between research and commercialization:

  • Technology Validation: Supporting startups and researchers in validating their innovations.
  • Commercialization Support: Providing mentorship and market insights to ensure technologies reach their intended end-users effectively.
  • End-User Collaboration: Engaging directly with farmers, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and industry stakeholders to ensure the developed technologies address real-world challenges.

We continuously engage with stakeholders, including industry leaders, farmers, and research organizations, to understand ground-level challenges. This iterative feedback process ensures that our initiatives remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with current needs.
Through these comprehensive programs, IIT Ropar Technology and Innovation Foundation is not only advancing innovation in agriculture and water management but also empowering communities, nurturing talent, and driving sustainable development across India.

Prime Insights: Do you believe that research and development is also essential for the growth of this domain?

Research and Development (R&D) is the cornerstone of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), driving technological self-reliance and addressing socio-economic challenges. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and data analytics into physical systems, R&D fosters solutions tailored to India’s unique needs, particularly in agriculture. It bridges technology gaps, stimulates economic growth, and aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting sustainable practices. Through innovation-driven efforts, the mission enhances policy frameworks, drives entrepreneurship, and ensures scalable and cost-effective solutions for critical sectors like water management, food security, and climate resilience.
At IIT Ropar’s Technology and Innovation Foundation– Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH), R&D is revolutionizing agriculture by enabling precision farming, smart water management, biodiversity monitoring, and livestock health tracking. Using CPS-enabled technologies, AWaDH delivers climate-smart solutions such as IoT-driven irrigation systems and AI-powered crop monitoring to optimize resources and increase productivity. Collaborating with academia, government, industry, and farmers, AWaDH ensures its innovations are scalable and impactful, addressing real-world challenges while driving sustainable agricultural transformation and strengthening India’s leadership in CPS technologies.

Prime Insights: What are the core values that lead your company?

Our company is built on a foundation of core values that drive our mission to create a transformative impact in agriculture. Central to our philosophy is a commitment to environmental sustainability, ensuring profitable agriculture, and promoting the preservation of biodiversity. These principles guide our efforts to address the critical challenge of global food security amidst the dual pressures of a growing population and environmental changes.
We are dedicated to ensuring that quality food reaches every citizen, while safeguarding the planet’s ecosystems for future generations. Our vision focuses on revolutionizing Indian agriculture through smart, digital farming, paving the way for a sustainable and food-secure future.
Internally, we emphasize the importance of teamwork and individual empowerment, fostering a collaborative environment where every team member feels inspired to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. These values fuel our drive to innovate, lead, and create lasting impacts that align with our mission of advancing agricultural technology and building a sustainable, food-secure world.

Prime Insights: How important do you think it is to keep your employees content? What measures do you take to ensure their satisfaction?

Employee satisfaction is a cornerstone of our organization’s success. With a team of over 100 technical and administrative professionals, we firmly believe that a company’s progress is directly linked to the strength, motivation, and engagement of its people. A satisfied and empowered team is more likely to take ownership of their work, invest wholeheartedly in their projects, and contribute significantly to achieving the organization’s vision.
To ensure employee satisfaction, we prioritize holistic employee benefits. Alongside competitive compensation packages, we offer flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home options, and encourage employees to take creative ownership of their tasks. While mentorship and guidance are always available, we emphasize empowering individuals to make decisions and bring innovative ideas to life.
This balance of support and autonomy fosters a collaborative and motivated work culture, where every team member feels valued, inspired, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to our shared goals. By creating an environment that nurtures creativity and ownership, we ensure that our team remains at the heart of our continued success.

Prime Insights: What are your thoughts on the participation of women in the entrepreneurial world?

While the participation of women in the entrepreneurial world is growing, there is still a pressing need for more female leaders in decision-making and leadership positions. In my experience, particularly in science, I’ve observed that while classrooms often have a majority of female students, leadership roles remain disproportionately held by men. This highlights the need to create equal, merit-based opportunities for women, not just to enhance diversity but because women are equally deserving and capable of leading businesses and organizations.
The narrative is evolving, and women are embracing more ambitious goals, stepping into leadership roles, and challenging traditional societal expectations. This shift is essential, but it requires supportive environments both at home and in professional spaces to enable women to thrive. As a woman, I hold a strong desire to see more women in leadership positions, managing businesses, and driving innovation.
To every young woman, I say: dream big, believe in yourself, and pursue your aspirations with unwavering determination. Women have the strength to balance multiple responsibilities and excel at the highest levels. Set ambitious goals and work relentlessly to achieve them—there are no limits to what you can accomplish. Together, we can create a future where women are not just participants but visionary leaders shaping the entrepreneurial landscape.

Prime Insights: What message would you like to give to women leaders who give up on their dreams due to some stereotypes or societal pressure?

My message is simple: it’s never too late to bounce back. Don’t let stereotypes or societal expectations convince you that you’ve missed your chance because of your age or time away from the workforce. If you took a break to care for your family and now feel ready to return, seize the moment. Many government initiatives and programs are designed to support women re-entering the workforce, and opportunities are always there for those willing to pursue them.
Remember, success is not confined to a specific timeline. I’ve seen inspiring women start their ventures well into their 50s and achieve remarkable success. It’s all about shifting your mindset—believe in yourself, take that first step, and the doors will open. Struggles are part of the journey, but with determination and perseverance, you can overcome them and fulfill your dreams. Your potential is limitless; trust in it and never stop striving.

Prime Insights: What does the future hold for your company? Can you share some upcoming plans projects or innovations which are in the pipeline?

The future of our company is deeply rooted in driving innovation and leveraging advanced technologies to transform agriculture and water management. With several groundbreaking initiatives underway, we aim to address pressing global challenges such as food security, water scarcity, and environmental sustainability. One of our flagship projects involves the integration of satellite data with on-ground information to optimize agricultural practices nationwide. By utilizing remote sensing technologies, we are delivering actionable insights to farmers, policymakers, and stakeholders to enhance productivity and sustainability. Furthermore, we are proud that IIT Ropar has been awarded with the establishment of the Center of Excellence (CoE) in AI for Agriculture, a prestigious project awarded by the Ministry of Education. This center focuses on applying artificial intelligence to revolutionize farming practices by empowering farmers with AI-driven insights for crop selection, production planning, and marketing strategies.
In addition to these transformative projects, we are exploring innovations in climate-smart solutions, precision irrigation, biodiversity monitoring, and predictive analytics for pest and disease control. These efforts aim to create sustainable, efficient, and adaptive farming practices. Collaborating with industry leaders, government bodies, and academic institutions, we are fostering a robust ecosystem to tackle the challenges of modern agriculture and water management. Our ultimate vision is to revolutionize the farm-to-plate process, making agriculture smarter, more efficient, and profitable while ensuring long-term environmental sustainability and resource conservation.

Prime Insights: What milestones and achievements do you and your company boast of till now?

Our company, iHub – AWaDH, has reached several significant milestones and received notable accolades that underscore our commitment to advancing research, innovation, and skill development in agriculture and water technology.
Acknowledgement and appreciation letter from the Highest Office of the Country from the Honorable Prime Minister of the Country, Shri Narender Modi.

Establishment of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Labs: We have successfully inaugurated multiple CPS labs across various regions, including Ladakh, Sikkim, and Amritsar, providing resources and training to individuals and students, thereby enhancing technological education and innovation in agriculture and water management.

Recognition at CII Startup Conclave 2024: Our contributions to the incubation ecosystem were acknowledged at the Chandigarh Startup Conclave 2024, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), highlighting our role in fostering startups and entrepreneurship.

Awards in Skill Development and Livelihood category and R&D and Entrepreneurship category by CSR Universe: We have been honored with awards in skill development and livelihood, reflecting our efforts in enhancing skills and providing livelihood opportunities through our various programs and initiatives.

Bharat Incubator Award: Our incubation efforts have been recognized with the Bharat Incubaoring our commitment to supporting startups and fostering innovation in the deep-tech sector.

Leveraging Cloud for Sustainability Award: We received recognition for leveraging cloud for sustainability, showcasing our dedication to integrating advanced technologies for sustainable development.

These achievements highlight our ongoing efforts to revolutionize agriculture and water managemeogy, education, and community engagement.

Prime Insights: How are you giving back to society as CSR initiatives?

Our initiatives are centered on three key areas: education, skilling, and women’s empowerment. We are dedicated to creating opportunities and fostering growth in these crucial domains to uplift communities and drive sustainable development.
Additionally, we are making a tangible impact through our work in agriculture by promoting sustainable practices, providing access to innovative technologies, and supporting farmers with tools and knowledge to improve productivity and livelihoods. These efforts reflect our commitment to contributing meaningfully to society and addressing its most pressing challenges.

Prime Insights: Is there a message you would like to get to Prime Insights readers? And feedback about us from you would be appreciated.

My message is simple and heartfelt: if you are ever presented with an opportunity to contribute to your nation, embrace it wholeheartedly. Use the technology, education, and skills you’ve acquired to make a meaningful impact. As Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, an inspiring woman leader, once said, “Innovation and technology can change the destiny of a nation.” Let this serve as a reminder that through innovation and determination, we can create a transformative future for society and the nation.
As for the interview, my feedback is exceptionally positive. The questions were thoughtfully crafted, resonating deeply with the work being done by companies and industries, and highlighting their impact not only on the economy but also on national development. It was a pleasure to engage in such a well-conducted interview, and I eagerly look forward to reading this in Prime Insights. Keep up the excellent work in showcasing inspiring stories and contributions!