Look East AgTech Summit (LEATS) 2025

Look East AgTech Summit (LEATS) 2025, 14th May 2025 at Kolkata

Newsletter
India's AgTech revolution is transforming the agricultural sector through precision technologies, AI-driven advisory systems, sustainable input innovations, and smart supply chains. Yet, Eastern and Northeastern India, despite being agriculturally rich and ecologically diverse, remain underrepresented in this transformation. The region continues to face systemic barriers, including limited access to institutional capital, fragmented incubation support, and a relatively low density of startups and accelerators. To bridge this gap and unlock the region's vast potential, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with ThinkAg, convened the Look East AgTech Summit (LEATS) 2025 on 14th May 2025 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, Kolkata. The summit aimed to catalyze a new era of technology-led, climate-resilient, and inclusive growth in Eastern India's agri and allied sectors by fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration and regional innovation.

This summit convened a distinguished assembly of stakeholders, including farmer collectives, startups, scale-ups, policymakers, government institutions, corporates, financial institutions, investors, incubators, mentors, ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, IITs, IIMs, CSR foundations, and grassroots organizations. Participants represented a wide geography, representing a diversity which enabled a truly global exchange of insights and opportunities. Through curated panel discussions, breakout sessions, exhibitions, and stakeholder networking, LEATS 2025 positioned itself as the premier platform to reimagine the agricultural future of Eastern India.

Inaugural Session: Unlocking Agri Innovation in Eastern India.
The Look East AgTech Summit 2025 opened with a strong call to accelerate agritech transformation in Eastern and Northeastern India, highlighting the region's untapped potential compared to the startup-heavy South and West. Jayanta Chakraborty of BCC&I emphasized bridging the geographical and infrastructural gap, while Hemendra Mathur of ThinkAg called for building a robust regional ecosystem involving startups, FPOs, government bodies, incubators, and investors. With over 10,000 agritech startups nationwide, the East still lacks ecosystem depth-an issue the summit aims to address, especially in high-potential sectors like makhana, fishery, and horticulture. The Keynote Address delivered by Alok Jain, Deputy General Manager at State Bank of India (ABU & GSS) spotlighted West Bengal's strengths in crop production and underscored the need for credit, skilling, and market linkages to support micro food processing units, positioning financial institutions as enablers of rural enterprise. Collectively, the session set the tone for coordinated efforts to transform Eastern India into a vibrant agritech corridor.

Panel Discussion 1: Doing Business in East- Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
The first panel discussion of the Look East AgTech Summit 2025 focused on identifying the structural and strategic levers to transform Eastern India's agriculture into a self-sustaining economic force. Moderated by Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, Senior Partner, Interuri Consulting & Former President, BCC&I, the session addressed key themes such as climate adaptation, capital penetration, value chain development, market linkages, technology integration, labour schemes, and the role of PPPs. The panel brought together voices from leading institutions and agri-enterprises to explore how diversification, resilience, and inclusive growth models could anchor the next wave of agri-innovation in the region.

Panel Discussion 2: Mechanisation & Tech- Transforming the Tea Industry
This unique panel discussion, moderated by Mr. S. Soundarajan, Director - Tea Development, Tea Board, focused on leveraging technological innovation to modernize the labour-intensive tea sector. From mechanised harvesting and robotics to AI-based pesticide residue detection and renewable energy adoption, the session addressed the opportunities and challenges in integrating mechanisation across the tea value chain. The speakers shared institutional insights, field innovations, and strategic recommendations to enable a technology-driven transformation of the tea industry.

Panel Discussion 3: Achieving Financial Inclusion - Will Partnerships with Agri Startups Bridge the Gap?
This session explored the critical question of whether financial inclusion for small and marginal farmers in Eastern India can be accelerated through meaningful partnerships between financial institutions and agri-startups. The discussion was framed around three key themes: what has worked in startup-finance collaborations, how to co-create scalable and context-specific models for underserved regions, particularly aspirational districts in the East, and how climate-smart solutions developed by startups can be integrated into mainstream financial systems. With over 1,200 FPOs across 161 districts and 50 aspirational districts in the East already being engaged by institutions like Samunnati, the panel highlighted that only 20% of cultivated area in the region has access to formal credit, and farmer incomes continue to remain as low as INR 9,500 to INR 10,000 per month, compared to INR 23,000 in better-served states like Punjab. The East, with only 60% of India's startups active in the region, remains underserved and urgently requires innovative, collaborative financial delivery mechanisms.

Panel Discussion 4: Facilitating Access to Carbon Credits for Indian Farmers
With growing interest in carbon markets, a key question arises,can Indian farmers truly benefit from this opportunity? This session looked closely at what needs to change to make carbon credit systems both reliable and truly helpful for farmers. This session looked closely at the emerging potential of carbon markets for Indian farmers and the challenges in making carbon credit systems accessible, scalable, and farmer centric. The discussion focused on the need for verifiable digital infrastructure, simplified MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) platforms, geotagging, and data credibility to ensure high-quality carbon credits.

Panel Discussion 5: The Next Aquaculture Hub- Building the Roadmap
This engaging panel discussion focused on positioning Eastern and Northeastern India as the future growth center of India's aquaculture sector. The session brought together practitioners, entrepreneurs, scientists, and institutional experts to discuss the unique biodiversity, smallholder dominance, and infrastructural gaps that shape the region's aquatic food ecosystem. Moderated with a participatory approach, the discussion highlighted the need for decentralized innovation, robust market linkages, policy reform, and inclusive development to transform aquaculture into a driver of economic empowerment and food security.

Panel Discussion 6: AgBioTech Breakthroughs Disrupting the Input Sector
This breakout session focused on how agri-biotech innovations are disrupting the input sector through sustainable, high-impact breakthroughs. The discussion began with an emphasis on soil as the foundation of all agricultural innovation and the need to protect and restore it to ensure long-term food security. It was noted that if current rates of soil degradation continue, by 2050, two-thirds of arable land may become unfit for cultivation. Climate change was discussed as a compounding factor, with the point raised that 11 out of 25 known climate mitigation strategies are directly linked to healthy soil. This laid the context for exploring how agri-biotech innovations can support sustainability from the ground up.

Panel Discussion 7: Disrupting the value chain of Makhana
This panel discussion brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of makhana in India's agri-value chain. From production dynamics and interstate expansion to branding, value addition, and policy support, the session examined how this traditionally niche aquatic crop can emerge as a mainstream, commercially viable superfood. The discussion also emphasized the importance of institutional intervention, consumer education, and ecosystem development to unlock makhana's full potential as both a health food and economic asset.

Panel Discussion 8: Creating More Investable Startups
This session examined what makes early-stage startups "investable" in the Indian impact ecosystem, particularly in the agri and allied sectors. Bringing together leaders from Lok Capital, Caspian Impact, and Upaya Social Ventures, the discussion offered a granular look at how equity, debt, convertibles, and blended finance can serve different phases of startup growth. The panellists reflected on capital readiness, investor expectations, and how founders can align their business models with both financial viability and grassroots impact.

Presentation: Honey Value Chain & Tech
This insightful presentation by Monika Shukla, Co-founder and CEO, Humble Bee traced the critical yet underappreciated role of bees in India's agricultural ecosystem and proposed a comprehensive roadmap to transform beekeeping into a viable, climate-resilient livelihood. Drawing parallels with the Amul model, the session showcased a scalable value chain rooted in collective clusters, pollination corridors, and localized capacity building, particularly among women beekeepers. The speaker highlighted the need for technological innovation, migratory infrastructure, and a public awareness campaign to support ethical honey production and pollination-linked yield gains.

Panel 9: Reimagining the incubation landscape in East India
This forward-looking panel brought together leading voices from premier academic incubators and agri-innovation institutions to explore the evolving role of incubators in catalyzing rural entrepreneurship and regionally rooted innovation. The session addressed the unique incubation challenges in Eastern and Northeastern India including capital constraints, fragmented ecosystems, and low startup penetration, while offering actionable pathways to strengthen research-to-market linkages, support tribal entrepreneurship, and develop inclusive, locally anchored startup ecosystems.

Exhibition Zone: Showcasing Innovation and Impact
The Exhibition Zone at the Look East AgTech Summit 2025 served as a dynamic platform for innovators, manufacturers, and technology-driven enterprises to demonstrate next-generation solutions for agriculture and allied sectors. The stalls brought together diverse stakeholders, ranging from grassroots tool manufacturers to drone and IoT pioneers, offering practical, scalable, and sustainable interventions for farmers, agri-enterprises, and rural communities. Exhibitors included OEMs like Sun Agro Tech demonstrating durable agri-hand tools, and tech startups like Revoltaero Systems and Mobitech Wireless offering drones and IoT-based irrigation systems for precision farming. Digital platforms such as Krishi Vikas Udyog and Kheetii Bazaar displayed agri-commerce and supply chain transparency solutions. BuzzWorthy Ventures and Aqua Doctor Solutions introduced climate-resilient beekeeping and integrated aquaculture services. Innovations in fisheries and water quality monitoring were presented by Maribus Solar and Bharat Fishmate, while deep-tech agri-wellness startups from RISE Foundation, IISER Kolkata demonstrated organic inputs, herbal solutions, and biotech-based nutraceuticals. The stalls reflected a rich confluence of grassroots innovations and high-impact technologies for sustainable agriculture and rural development.

Expected Outcomes
♦   Strengthened Regional Ecosystem: Establishment of a robust agritech ecosystem in Eastern and Northeastern India by connecting startups, FPOs, research institutions, and government bodies to enable inclusive and sustained innovation.
♦   Improved Access to Capital and Markets: Enhanced financial inclusion for agri-startups and micro-enterprises through blended finance models, digital credit tools, and increased partnerships with banks, fintechs, and impact investors.
♦   Expansion of Climate-Smart Practices: Wider adoption of clean energy, precision farming, biofertilizers, carbon farming, and regenerative aquaculture to build resilience against climate variability and environmental degradation.
♦   Diversified Value Chains and Livelihoods: Promotion of high-potential sectors like makhana, tea, aquaculture, and beekeeping through mechanization, branding, and policy support to generate jobs and diversify rural incomes.
♦   Boost in Regional Incubation Capacity: Scaling of regional incubators and startup support systems tailored to rural and tribal geographies, enabling localized innovation and entrepreneurship.
♦   Operational Roadmaps for Strategic Sectors: Clear blueprints for scaling inland fisheries, expanding women-led beekeeping clusters, democratizing drone services, and integrating digital agri-marketplaces to modernize Eastern India's agri-value chains.

The Look East AgTech Summit 2025 marked a pivotal moment in redefining the agricultural and innovation narrative of Eastern and Northeastern India. By bringing together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, from grassroots innovators and farmer producer organizations to deep tech startups, policy leaders, and financial institutions, the summit demonstrated that the region is not just ready for transformation, but poised to lead it. The conversations, partnerships, and innovations showcased at LEATS 2025 underscored the urgent need for inclusive, technology-driven, and climate-resilient solutions tailored to regional realities. As we move forward, the momentum generated through this summit must translate into sustained ecosystem-building efforts, deeper investments, and collaborative platforms that empower Eastern India to emerge as a dynamic agri-innovation corridor for the country and the broader South Asian region.

Keynote Address by Satyendra Kumar Singh, CGM (CAG), Corporate Centre, Mumbai, State Bank of India.

Panel Discussion 1: Doing Business in East- Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities.

Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty, President, Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations delivering insights such as large cost disparities between small tea growers and large estates mostly due to mechanisation.

Audience engaging with the discussions and asking insightful questions to the panellists.

Insights shared by Dr. Sudarshan Dutta, Head - Global Nature-Based Solutions Program, Kosher Climate on science-policy-business interface.

Mr. Satyajit Singh, Founder of Shakti Sudha Makhana stresses on the importance of generic branding for Makhana under the newly established Makhana Board.

Monika Shukla, Co-founder and CEO, Humble Bee delivering an insightful presentation on the golden revolution: infusing technology to promote sustainable beekeeping across India.

Diverse stalls featuring a wide range of products and technologies set up at the Exhibition Zone.