Industry Academia Conclave
IAC-2025

Future-Ready Agriculture

Integrating Science, Technology, and Policy for Sustainable Agriculture Development

Organized by,

VIT School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning (VAIAL)

17-18 December , 2025
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About VAIAL

At the forefront of agricultural innovation, VAIAL offers world-class learning and training experiences tailored to empower future leaders in the agriculture sector. We serve the farming community through custom-designed technologies to address need-based agricultural challenges. Our commitment to eco-friendly innovation uplifts the agro-industry while commercializing breakthrough concepts that drive real-world impact. Backed by excellent research infrastructure and a team of highly trained scientists, we lead the way in developing and demonstrating sustainable smart agriculture. With a global outlook, we actively tackle the pressing challenges of next-generation farming, ensuring resilient, inclusive, and future-ready solutions for the agricultural sector.

About the IAC 2025

The Industry Academia Conclave (IAC) 2025 at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is envisioned as a platform to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry by fostering the integration of scientific research, technological innovation, and policy frameworks to enhance productivity, profitability, sustainability, and resilience. Recognizing the need for convergence across agronomy, biotechnology, engineering, economics, and extension services to promote environmental stewardship and agricultural transformation, the conclave will bring together distinguished experts, corporate leaders, academicians, researchers, and students. It aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas, showcase innovations, and build partnerships that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical applications, thereby promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, skill development, and food and nutritional security. The IACC is expected to pave the way for strategic partnerships, joint research initiatives, internships, and curriculum enrichment, reinforcing VIT’s vision of nurturing industry-ready graduates and contributing to sustainable national development.

Why Participation Matters?

Key Themes

Smart & Precision Farming

AI, IoT, Robotics, drones, and decision support systems for resource-efficiency

Biotechnology & Genomics

Genetic improvement, disease resistance, bio-inputs, and sustainable crop enhancement

Climate Smart Agriculture

Smart Agriculture, Climate-resilient varieties, water saving technologies, regenerative practices, and carbon farming

Sustainable Livestock & Fisheries

Nutrition, breeding, health management, and value chain development

Agri-Engineering & Mechanization

Affordable automation, renewable energy, and post-harvest solutions

Agri-Business & Digital Marketplace

E-commerce, value chains, traceability, and market access for farmers

Agricultural Extension & Knowledge Transfer

Digital advisory, capacity building, entrepreneurship, enabling frameworks for innovation adoption, certification systems, and global trade compliance

Expected Outcomes

Hackathon

Eligibility

  • UG Students
  • PG Students
  • Research Scholars

Registration

https://events.vit.ac.in

Visit Portal

Registration Fee

Uptown Urban Farms

Introduction

Hydroponics is widely recognized as a next-generation solution for sustainable food production and global food security. However, many hydroponic farms continue to face challenges such as inconsistent crop growth, ineffective labor utilization, delayed harvesting, and poor decision-making regarding what to grow in different demographic markets.

Problem Statement

"The issues often arise from the absence of a data-driven system that connects farm operations with real-time insights and market feedback."

Project Aim

The project aims to develop a technology-integrated monitoring and decision-support system that uses tools such as cameras, data analytics, and market-linked intelligence to track crop health, predict growth and harvest readiness, and align production with market demand.

Expected Impact

By incorporating market feedback, the system should help reduce wastage, shorten lead times, and improve both farm efficiency and profitability.

First Prize

Certificate + Rs. 3,000

Second Prize

Certificate + Rs. 2,000

myHarvest Farms

Problem Statements

  • Difficulty in communicating "How can I Organic?"
  • Inconsistent supply from farmers - dependent on weather, season and harvest quality
  • Unorganized farm-to-home logistics, route optimization, safe packing without losing freshness
  • High last-mile delivery costs in home delivery for online/D2C business
  • Reducing food waste overall and handling returns/replacements of perishables
  • Retaining freshness of green leafy vegetables & spinach for minimum 24 hours
  • How to know if fruits like muskmelon, watermelon and oranges are ripe?
  • Retaining freshness of bananas and delivering in semi-ripe condition without wastage
  • How to increase purchase frequency from once a month to three times a month?
  • How to control pests in organic farms without increasing expenses?

First Prize

Certificate + Rs. 3,000

Second Prize

Certificate + Rs. 2,000

BG Crops

Problem Statement

  • “Manufacturing Know-How of Micronutrient Mixture Grade 11 (Granular Form)”

First Prize

Certificate + Rs. 3,000

Second Prize

Certificate + Rs. 1,500

KuppiSmart Solutions

Problem Statements

1. Poultry (Computer Vision & AI)

Edge-Optimized AI for Dead Bird Fraud and Health Monitoring: Develop an image similarity and anomaly detection system (using techniques like image embeddings or metric learning) to prevent fraudulent claims by detecting re-used images of dead birds. The solution must be optimized for real-time inference on low-power, edge-based hardware.

2. Poultry (Bioacoustics & ML)

Low-Latency Bioacoustic Disease Prediction System: Design a machine learning pipeline that processes poultry vocalizations to classify and provide early warnings for common respiratory diseases (e.g., distress signals). The system must be robust to background noise and capable of sending a notification to the farmer within a 15-minute analysis window.

3. Aqua (IoT & Predictive Analytics)

Proactive Water Quality Crisis Prediction and Automation: Develop a time-series predictive model that analyzes continuous sensor data (DO, pH, Temp, BOD, COD, TSS) to forecast critical water quality degradation events (e.g., anoxic conditions or ammonia spikes) 6-12 hours in advance, and recommend automated corrective actions (like adjusting the dosing unit).

4. Data Accessibility & UX/UI

Farmer-Centric AI Advisory Application: Design and prototype an intuitive, multilingual mobile application interface (UX/UI) that translates complex sensor readings and AI-generated alerts (e.g., "Ammonia high" or "Disease detected") into simple, actionable farming advice and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for non-technical users.

5. IoT Connectivity & Sustainability

Robust Data Synchronization Protocol for Rural IoT Fleets: Develop a reliable data management protocol that ensures data integrity and minimizes operational costs for a large fleet of 100+ IoT devices operating in low-bandwidth or intermittent internet connectivity rural environments (e.g., optimizing MQTT payload sizes, local data storage, and efficient cloud synchronization strategies).

Prize : Certificate + Selected team will be given a Paid internship

TVS SST

Problem Statement

  • Inadequate Calf Management and the absence of systematic feed management practices among livestock farmers in our working Village.

For the Best Solution: Certificate + Cash Prize Rs. 3000

SPIC

Problem Statements

  • 1. Balanced Fertilizers Application
  • 2. Can Organic Fertilisers replace the Chemical Fertilizers in the Present Scenario?
  • 3. How to improve acceptance of Organic Fertilizers?
  • 4. How to improve the marketing of New Agro input products?

First Prize

Certificate + Rs. 3,000

Second Prize

Certificate + Rs. 2,000

Proposed Tracks

AI, IoT, and Automation in Agriculture

Leveraging smart technology for precision farming, monitoring, and efficiency.

Climate-Smart & Regenerative Farming

Implementing sustainable practices to boost resilience and soil health.

Biotech Breakthroughs for Crop and Livestock Improvement

Enhancing productivity and resilience through genetic and biotechnological solutions.

Smart Supply Chains & Agri-Logistics

Optimizing global market integration, export readiness, and supply chain efficiency.

Startup Pitches & Industry Collaboration

Fostering innovation through collaboration, investments, and entrepreneurship.

Participation Benefits

Industry-Sponsored Labs

Establish labs and centers of excellence with industry support

Upskilling Opportunities

Provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for industry personnel

Strategic MoUs

Sign Memorandums of Understanding for strategic collaborations

Work-Integrated Learning

Implement work-integrated learning programs for students

Recruitment Drives

Conduct recruitment and internship drives for students

Training Programs

Offer corporate and executive training programs

Joint Programs

Implement industry-driven joint programs, courses, and seminars

Funding Support

Provide funding support for student innovations and entrepreneurial ideas

Sponsorship

Sponsorship Tier Contribution Amount (INR) Branding and Benefits
Platinum Partner ₹ 1,00,000 and above Exclusive keynote slot, premium logo placement, branded pavilion space, social media highlights, felicitation during inaugural, stall charges free
Gold Partner ₹ 50,000 to ₹99,999 Prominent logo display, speaking panel participation, brand placement in brochure and backdrops, stall charges free
Silver Partner ₹25,000 to ₹49,999 Logo placement in event collaterals, delegate kit insertions, stall charges free
Associate sponsor ₹15,000 to ₹24,999 Acknowledgment in printed material and during valedictory, 50% discount on stall charges

We are also open to custom sponsorship proposals, co-branded initiatives, or support-in-kind (such as equipment, technology demonstrations, or startup mentorship).

Stall Details

Category 1

  • Stall size 6 ft x 8 ft
  • For Non-partners, Amount: Rs. 4000/day + GST (18%)
  • For Associate partners, 50% discount on stall charges
  • For Gold and Silver partners, no stall charges
Category 2

  • For Platinum partners, stall size is 6 ft x 16 ft
  • No stall charges

Sponsors

Committee

Patrons
  • Dr.G.Viswanathan, Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology (Chief Patrons)
  • Shri Sankar Viswanathan, Vice-President, Vellore Institute of Technology (Patron)
  • Dr. Sekar Viswanathan, Vice-President, Vellore Institute of Technology (Patron)
  • Dr. G. V. Selvam , Vice- President, Vellore Institute of Technology (Patron)
  • Dr. Sandhya Pentareddy ,Executive Director, Vellore Institute of Technology (Patron)
  • Ms. Kadhambari S Viswanathan, Assistant Vice - President, Vellore Institute of Technology (Patron)
  • Dr. V. S. Kanchana Bhaaskaran, Vice-Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology (Co-Patron)
  • Dr. Partha Sharathi Mallick, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Vellore Institute of Technology (Co-Patron)
  • Dr. T. Jayabarathi, Registrar, Vellore Institute of Technology (Co-Patron)
Convenors
  • Dr. R. Rajendran, Dean (VAIAL)
  • Dr. J. Paul Mansingh,Professor Grade 1 & HOD
  • Dr. Immanuel Selvaraj, Professor Grade 1
  • Dr. Sowbiya Muneer,Associate Professor Grade 2
  • Dr. T. Parthasarathy, Assistant Professor Sr. Grade 2

Contact

Address

School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning (VAIAL)

Vellore Institute of Technology,

Vellore-632014

Email Us

vaial.iac@vit.ac.in