TMU Hosts “Idea to Impact” Lecture to Ignite Agri-Innovation Among Students
Teerthanker Mahaveer University (TMU)'s Innovation Council (IIC) organised an insightful lecture titled "Idea to Impact" at the College of Agriculture on 20 March 2025, to encourage undergraduates in agriculture to think entrepreneurially and innovate.
The offline session was led by Mr. Prashant Singh, Incubation Manager at TMU’s Business Incubation Centre (BIC). The event, held at the college’s Seminar Hall, was chaired by Dr. Parveen Jain, Dean of the College of Agriculture, and coordinated by Dr. Ganesh Dutt Bhatt and Dr. Devendra Pal Singh.
Lecture Overview: From Concept to Marketable Innovation
Mr. Singh provided an engaging roadmap to help students transform raw ideas into viable agricultural solutions. His lecture demystified the innovation lifecycle through actionable strategies and real-world tools, fuelling a spirit of agri-entrepreneurship within the student body.
Key Highlights of the Session:
- Ideation & Validation:
Students learned lean prototyping and design thinking techniques to test and iterate ideas with minimal resources. - Early Market Testing:
Field-based piloting and rapid-survey methods were introduced to assess product-market fit before full-scale investment. - Resource Access & Support:
A step-by-step guide on leveraging TMU BIC’s incubation services, applying for seed funding, and engaging with industry mentors was shared. - Sustainable Scaling:
Emphasis was placed on eco-efficient models and circular economy principles to ensure long-term viability in agribusinesses.
Student Participation: Innovation in Action
The session attracted nearly 120 undergraduate students, who actively participated in breakout group activities. Teams conceptualised prototypes such as:
- Solar-powered drip irrigation kits
- Biochar-based soil amendments
- Direct-to-consumer organic farm boxes
Interactive elements like real-time polling and rapid-pitch presentations infused energy and excitement into the learning process.
Tangible Outcomes and Follow-Up Support
By the end of the lecture, each participant received:
- A customised Innovation Canvas template to further develop their agri-startup ideas.
- Direct connections to BIC advisors and local agri-entrepreneurship mentors for further guidance.
This lecture marked a pivotal moment in the College’s commitment to fostering innovative, sustainable, and student-led agriventures.
