NewzVille Desk
To ignite youth-led change in agriculture, the Indian Institute of Madras, in collaboration with We The Leaders Foundation (WTLF), hosted the Youth Farming Conclave 2025 at IITM Research Park. The Conclave brought together young farmers, students, innovators, and experts to reimagine agriculture as a space for innovation and sustainability.
A key highlight was the launch of the Youth Farming Internship Program, designed to connect urban youth with organic farmers across Tamil Nadu. The program has two formats—a 7-day immersive internship and a 2-day weekend experience, which offers hands-on exposure to natural farming practices.
The first phase starts with eight organic farmers from the Kongu region opening their farms as learning spaces, with plans to expand across districts.
The conclave featured thought-provoking talks by leaders such as Manoj Kumar, CEO, Naandi Foundation, K. Annamalai (Former IPS Officer), Chief Mentor, We The Leaders Foundation, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, who spoke about the role of regenerative agriculture, community knowledge, and technology in shaping a sustainable future.
Amul–Richplus Organic Farming Initiative and We The Leaders Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further promote organic farming and empower rural communities.
The conclave marked a pivotal step in sparking youth-led transformation in agriculture, where tradition meets innovation to build a future rooted in sustainability and rural-urban collaboration.