New Delhi, India – With a bold step toward redefining the landscape of agricultural education, ANNADATA–2025, a 21-day International Faculty Development and Training Program, has been launched under the visionary leadership of Dr. Ankur Sharma. Known for his transformative approach in agricultural academia, Dr. Sharma has brought together an unprecedented collaboration of global and national institutions to uplift the academic workforce powering India’s agri-future.
A Global Effort Rooted in National Progress
Organized by the Agri Meet Foundation, Bharat, in alliance with UGC-MMTTC Jodhpur, Southern Federal University (Russia), Dr. YSRHU A.P., DCR Puttur, ATARI Jabalpur, Kodagu University, SKUAST Kashmir, MPKV Rahuri, and several ICAR and Central Agricultural Universities, ANNADATA–2025 is already being hailed as a game-changer. Running from August 16 to September 5, 2025, the program has attracted over a thousand participants, including faculty, scientists, scholars, and industry professionals from across India and abroad. Its hybrid format ensures accessibility, reach, and a real-time academic exchange like no other.
Dr. Ankur Sharma: A Visionary Behind the Movement
As Course Director, Dr. Ankur Sharma brings his dynamic leadership, academic foresight, and collaborative spirit to the forefront. His goal is clear: to empower agricultural educators not just with knowledge, but with the tools to adapt to future-ready technologies and teaching methodologies. With a legacy of guiding research, driving innovation, and building strong academic-industry bridges, Dr. Sharma sees ANNADATA–2025 as more than a training event—it is a national mission to elevate India’s intellectual agricultural capital.
Curriculum Designed for a New Era of Farming
The program offers comprehensive exposure to pressing topics in agriculture, including sustainable practices, regenerative farming, climate resilience, AI in agriculture, digital tools, post-harvest technology, and NEP 2020-aligned curriculum design. The sessions are led by an elite roster of national and international experts from reputed institutions, ensuring that every participant receives global insights contextualized for India’s rural realities. Special focus is given to fostering agri-entrepreneurship and practical, outcome-driven learning through virtual labs and real-world case workshops.
Academic Incentives and Inclusive Participation
ANNADATA–2025 also places a strong emphasis on academic growth and publication. Each registered participant is entitled to publish two research papers in the international journal Nature Science (ISSN: 3048-8117) without any cost—an opportunity that enhances research visibility and adds value to academic profiles. The program is inclusive in its design, welcoming students, early-career educators, ICAR scientists, and public and private stakeholders alike, making it one of the most diverse and impactful training ecosystems in agricultural academia.
Training Educators to Transform India
In his address to participants, Dr. Ankur Sharma emphasized the deeper purpose of ANNADATA–2025. “We are investing in the educators who shape the future minds of Indian agriculture. By strengthening their skills, vision, and global exposure, we are accelerating a new era of agricultural transformation,” he said. His words underscore the program’s mission: to cultivate a generation of faculty who are not just teachers, but innovators, mentors, and changemakers.
Collaborative Excellence: Partners Powering ANNADATA–2025
ANNADATA–2025 stands as a testament to the strength of global and national collaboration, driven by the unified vision of empowering agricultural educators. The program is organized by Agri Meet Foundation, Bharat, in esteemed knowledge partnership with UGC-MMTTC Jodhpur, Southern Federal University (Russia), Dr. YSRHU A.P, DCR Puttur Karnataka, ATARI Jabalpur, Kodagu University Karnataka, SKUAST Kashmir, MPKV Rahuri, IIRR Hyderabad, and a robust consortium of ICAR institutes and Central Agricultural Universities. This collective brings together unparalleled academic expertise, field experience, and research strength, creating a dynamic platform for innovation, policy integration, and skill development. Through this powerful synergy, ANNADATA–2025 is not only elevating faculty training but also laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready agricultural education ecosystem in India.
Supporting this grand initiative is Dr. Komal Sharma, a dynamic Scientist at TFRI, Jabalpur, who serves as the Course Director of ANNADATA–2025. Known for her exceptional academic insight, field research experience, and commitment to capacity-building in forestry and allied agricultural sciences, Dr. Komal Sharma has emerged as a central pillar in the successful execution of this program. With her strategic coordination, meticulous planning, and ability to align scientific objectives with national priorities, she has ensured that every module of ANNADATA–2025 reflects both academic excellence and practical relevance. Her leadership not only brings scientific credibility to the program but also amplifies the impact of this initiative at both institutional and grassroots levels.
A Lasting Legacy in the Making
As ANNADATA–2025 continues to unfold over three weeks, its impact is already resonating across academic circles. It stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, global collaboration, and purposeful training can achieve. Under Dr. Sharma’s guidance, the program is creating a ripple effect—one that will be felt in classrooms, on farms, and in policy corridors for years to come.
