Entrepreneurship Development Programme on the theme Attracting Youth Towards Hortipreneurship was conducted at KVK Gonikoppal in association with Business, Entrepreneurship and Start-up through Technology in Horticulture (BESST-HORT), The Technology Business Incubator of ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru on 18th Jan, 2020. The programme was attended by 47 participants interested in entrepreneurship. Shri Poochimada T Poonacha (former Board member of UAS, GKVK, Bangalore and a progressive farmer) was the Chief guest on the occasion. Shri Thimmaiah, S.C (Krishi Pandith from Nallur village, Ponnampet) and the Shri Kishore Nachappa (Journalist, Kodagu) were the Guest of Honors on the occasion. The Chief Guest emphasized on the importance of such entrepreneurship programmes for the district. The other guests spoke on the scope of entrepreneurship opportunities available in the district. In the beginning Dr. Saju George, Head, KVK, welcomed all the guests and participants to the programme. Dr. C.K. Narayana, PS and CEO, BESST HORT from IIHR, gave a brief overview of the programme.

Later sessions were handled in detail by Dr. C.K. Narayana on the list of technologies available from IIHR, their characteristics and BESST -HORT will handhold the participants in the journey of entrepreneurship and the different financing programmes available from different government agencies. Shri Vaibhav, B.S, COO of BESST HORT explained in detail the role of BESST-HORT and the steps required for acquiring the technology. After the presentations there was general interaction session between the participants and experts. The feedback form was collected from all the participants. The programme was well covered in local media. Many participants appreciated the efforts of KVK in organizing such unique programme at the KVK level for the benefit of entrepreneurs in the district.