Exciting New BBA Agri-Business Program at NIPHT Pune
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, April 17 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Marketing Minister, Jaykumar Rawal, announced on Friday that a new Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program focusing on Agri-Business will soon be introduced at the National Institute of Post-Harvest Technology (NIPHT) in Pune.
The initiative aims to cultivate skilled professionals for the cooperative and marketing sectors.
The undergraduate program has received approval from Tribhuvan Cooperative University, with enrollment for 60 seats set to commence in the academic year 2026–27.
Minister Rawal made this announcement during a review meeting at Mantralaya, attended by key officials, including Principal Secretary of Cooperation and Marketing Praveen Darade, Joint Secretary Vijay Lahane, and Executive Director of Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board Sanjay Kadam.
This new program is expected to generate a workforce skilled in areas such as cooperation, agri-processing, market management, supply chain, agri-industry, and rural entrepreneurship.
Rawal emphasized the increasing demand for youth equipped with modern management skills in the marketing and cooperative industries, urging NIPHT to offer top-quality training aligned with global standards.
He advised that various training sessions be organized year-round.
“The Tribhuvan Cooperative University has sanctioned this three-year program, allowing for 60 students, thus paving the way for new opportunities in agri-business management for students across Maharashtra,” the Minister stated.
During this gathering, Minister Rawal also called for the development of NIPHT into a premier training institution.
“A comprehensive development strategy should be established with support from the Asian Development Bank, introducing short-term courses related to agri-business while enhancing institutional infrastructure,” he added.
Furthermore, he mentioned that women from self-help groups in Maharashtra will be engaged in processing industries to improve the value addition of agricultural products.
He also proposed organizing seminars featuring experts from the agriculture sector and highlighted the necessity for specialized training programs in response to the rising demand in the seed production industry.
The Minister assured that the state government would provide all essential support for the institute's expansion and facility upgrades.