The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies organized the Agro Supply Chain Conference on October 3, 2015 to discuss cold chain logistics in agriculture. Over 90 papers were presented from various universities and companies on challenges and developments needed in cold chain logistics and the agriculture sector. Key topics included infrastructure issues slowing agriculture development, opportunities for cold storage to minimize waste and availability of crops, and the need for government support through subsidies and incentives. The conference provided students an opportunity to learn from guest speaker experiences about applying knowledge in practice. Prizes were awarded to top paper presentations.

1. Agro Supply Chain Conference
Cold Chain logistics in Agriculture
October 03, 2015
Center for Infrastructure & Project Finance
&
Department of LSCM and Operations
College of Management and Economics Studies (CoMES)
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun
Press Release
College of Management & Economic Studies (CoMES) with Department of LSCM & Operations and
Centre for Infrastructure & Project Finance, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES),
Dehradun organized a conference entitled as “Agro supply Chain Conference” on 3rd
October 2015,
with the prime focus on Cold Chain logistics in Agriculture. The Conference started at 9:30 in the
morning with the Lamp lighting ceremony and UPES Geet. Dr. Anirban Sengupta; Dean- CoMES, gave
the welcome speech to the guests, participants and audience. Dr. S.J. Chopra, Chancellor; UPES gave a
speech on “Role of R&D Centers at UPES & way forward” in which he told audience about the various
unique initiatives university is taking to contribute to the research and development which will give
students a platform to work in research fields and contribute to the nations development. After this, Dr.
Shrihari- Vice Chancellor UPES, addressed the Audience. Dr. Neeraj Anand, Head of department
Logistics and supply chain enlightened the audience by his presentation on “Cold Chain Logistics: An
Overview” in which he introduced about the basics of the cold chain logistics and also focused on the
development required to make Cold chain logistics better and efficient. After this, Dr. Sumeet Gupta,
Conference Chair gave the overview of the conference. He discussed about the Financial Incentives
available for Cold Chain establishment particularly Section 80IB of Income Tax Act. He has also
highlighted the role of NITI Ayog and NCCD in the same and also briefly discussed about the first ASCC
that was held in 2014. Dr Gupta said that 91 papers has came from different colleges and participants
from different institutes like NABARD. Participants from UPES, IIFT New Delhi, IABM, RAU, Bikaner,
IIT Kharagpur, DIT Dehradun, Doon PG, Chandigarh University and many other prestigious institutes
and companies took part and shared their views on the challenges, Developments needed, government and
private players role in the agriculture sector.
Dr. Chandra S Lalwani, Emeritus Professor of University of Hull, UK was the key note speaker for the
conference. In his presentation on “Sustainable Global Logistics and International transport” he explained

2. that how logistics of the country can be made more efficient and responsive with the implementation of
proper infrastructure and Government support so as to make it capable to meet the rising market demand,
both inside the nation and internationally. He also said that Government should also help this sector by
allocating more funds like other developed countries do, so that we can build the basic infrastructure and
head towards achieving world class logistics in the coming years. Shri. Rajesh Chandra Shrivastava gave
the presentation on “Zero Energy for cold chamber”, in which he explained that problem of power
unavailability which is negatively affecting the cold chain logistics. Shri C.P Mohan, CGM, NABARD
spoke about the role of NABARD in value chain ecosystems. He explained that how NABARD is
working in collaboration with the farmers, providing them incentives, farming needs support and what
future plans are lined up to contribute to streamlining the Agriculture sector. After this, Mr. Alok
Bhatnagar through his presentation on “Opportunities and Challenges in setting up an Agro cold chain”
explained the constraints that are slowing down the development of efficient Agro cold chain in the
country. He also explained that how agriculture based products can be preserved for the longer time by
keeping them at as low as minus 20 degree Celsius which will not only minimize the wastage, but will
also facilitate to make products available at the time of market shortage and in all seasons, round the year.
Dr. B.S Negi, Director, Horticulture Mission shared his views on Status and Prospects of Food Processing
Industry and Agro- process Technological Challenges in Uttarakhand. He said that there exist various
challenges to implement technology in the food processing and logistics sector like proximity to remote
locations, power availability and also financial constraints at times. Even the availability of crop in bulk,
good enough to make full truck load or construct a cold storage nearby to production site is a major issue
which means that this sector requires heavy incentives and Government support. Financial perspective of
the problem associated with poor logistics infrastructure in cold chain was discussed with the need of
government support, in the form of subsidies, incentives and services. Shortcomings of the infrastructure
and transportation like lack of warehouses, transportation facilities, cold storages, improper roads and
unmechanised farming practices were the major bottleneck areas that were identified and highlighted in
the conference. Need for Green initiatives, eco-friendly practices, innovation in packaging and storing
products were discussed in the conference. Problems like low returns to farmers for their crops, poor
agriculture marketing and unavailability of load and cargo were discussed and several suggestions like
removing intermediaters, brokers and government support to provide farmers required assistance and
support were discussed. Integration of postal network to facilitate farming needs was also discussed in a
paper. Providing consultancy services, farming materials and equipments to the farmers using postal
infrastructure could provide better penetration and reach to the government. Mr. Zubin Mehta of SEBI
India also addresses audience about the same and told about the merger of SEBI and FMC.

3. Dr. Loveraj Takru, industry fellow at UPES, also shared his views about the challenges faced by the
farmers as well as the buying firms.
Dr. Neeraj Anand, said that university believe that learning should not limit to reading books and sitting
in class listening to lectures, but, it is much more effective when students learn through their own field
work and practical experiences. Also, the experiences shared by the guest speakers help students to know
how the knowledge that students are gaining should be implemented in real world.
The conference ended at 6 in the evening with the valedictory session and prize distribution ceremony. Dr
Anand has declared that in scholar’s category, Mr. Inderjit Singh of H.P University Shimla won the first
prize and Ms. Gangita Gairola, consultant at AT India, won the second prize.
Dr Gupta has declared thatIn student’s category, Mr. Nilesh Ashok Jadhav of MBA LSCM with
Dr Sumeet Gupta, UPES secured the second position while the first position was secured by Dr. Debjeet
Sharma of Doon PG, Dehradun.
Presentation Tracks
Paper Presentation ware carried out in two parallel tracks consisting of 4 Technical Sessions:
Track 1 – Agriculturist/ Corporate Delegates/ Academicians at LT- 1009 and Auditorium
No. of papers presented –50
Track 2 – Research Scholars & Students at LT – 1007, 1008
No. of Papers presented – 41
Session Chairs were as follows:
 Dr. Sudhanshu Joshi- Doon University
 Dr Ashish Pripathi- UPES
 Dr P C Bahuguna- UPES
 Dr. Saurabh Tiwari- UPES
 Mr Jubin Mehta- AGM- SEBI
 Dr B P Panda- UPES
 Dr. H. Roy , Assistant Professor- SG
At the end, Dr. Tarun Dhingra, Assistant Dean, Research, CoMES, extended vote of thanks to the
organizers, participants, guest speakers and supporters of the conference – NABARD, National
Horticulture Mission, Department of Animal Husbandry , Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development
Board , Time Institute , Kabila, Farm etc.