In a significant first for the tribal community of Jharkhand, a dedicated entrepreneur from Gumla district brought his innovative agricultural vision to the national stage. Amar Pradeep Kujur, a tribal businessman in his late forties, presented his groundbreaking farm-based business model at the prestigious Tribal Business Conclave-2025 held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
A Platform for Tribal Enterprise
The conclave was a major national event, organized jointly by the Union ministries of commerce & industry, tribal affairs, and culture, in collaboration with various commerce bodies. The central aim was to promote and uplift tribal enterprises from across the country. The timing of the event was particularly symbolic, as it preceded the birth anniversary of the revered tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, which is celebrated as Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Speaking to the press from the national capital, an enthusiastic Kujur shared details of his presentation. As a special invitee, he delivered a compelling presentation on agriculture-based commercial farming. His model is designed with a dual mission: to generate employment for local unemployed individuals and to promote the cultivation of pure organic crops for both local and external markets using scientific methods. His ideas successfully captured the attention of the diverse participants at the event.
The Science Behind the Sustainable Model
Kujur elaborated on the technical strengths of his approach, which marks a significant departure from traditional practices. Our model replaces rainfall dependency farming to all seasons by using multiple cropping, which uses less water and is weather resilient, he explained.
This innovative system ensures year-round productivity and protects farmers from the uncertainties of monsoon-dependent agriculture. Farmers who partner with his enterprise receive specialized training from farm scientists. This education equips them with crucial knowledge about weather patterns, the market value of different crops, and modern packaging techniques.
The result is a holistic system that is totally different from traditional agriculture, focusing on three core pillars: crop protection, enhanced profitability for the farmer, and long-term, sustainable farming exercises that care for the land.
A Conclave of National Significance
The event was a landmark gathering, attracting over 150 delegates from all corners of India, making it the first mega national conclave of its kind. The gathering was graced by several distinguished figures, including former Tribal Research Institute director Ranendra Kumar and Sahitya Academy member Mahadeo Toppo.
The welcome address was delivered by former Gumla Deputy Commissioner Himani Pande, who now holds the pivotal position of additional secretary to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Union ministry of commerce and industry. She set the context for the event, highlighting the government's commitment to fostering tribal entrepreneurship.
The participation of Amar Pradeep Kujur at this platform not only highlights the potential within India's tribal heartlands but also sets a powerful precedent for other aspiring entrepreneurs from similar backgrounds to think big and aim for national impact.
