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How can computer science solve some of agbioscience’s most critical challenges? Likith Mouli Konka, a graduate student studying Human-Computer Interaction at Indiana University Indianapolis, is gaining some first-hand experience through Field Atlas Agbioscience Tours and the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge. From his motivation to enter the agbioscience space to reshaping his perspective of agriculture, Likith dives into what he has learned about the agbioscience industry and how he sees it playing a role in his future endeavors.

 

What motivated you to step into the agbioscience industry and participate in AgriNovus / Field Atlas programs?

Growing up in India, I saw firsthand how crucial farming is to people’s livelihoods, but also the many challenges farmers face — climate variability, water scarcity, low productivity, and limited market access being just a few. When I learned about the AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs, I saw an opportunity to explore how my skills in UX Design and Research could potentially address these real-world agricultural challenges and make a tangible impact on farmers’ lives.

 

What AgriNovus programs + agbioscience events have you participated in? Briefly describe your experience participating in these programs and events.

I’ve participated in the Company Tours organized by Field Atlas, the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, and my year-long Capstone Project. These experiences have been eye-opening and transformative. They’ve allowed me to apply my HCI skills to real agricultural problems and gain valuable insights into the cutting-edge technologies being developed in the agbioscience sector.

 

Prior to engaging with AgriNovus Indiana and Field Atlas, did you have any stereotypes about the Agriculture Industry? If so, what were those stereotypes?

Before getting involved with AgriNovus, my understanding of agriculture was largely based on my experiences in South India, where it often relies on traditional methods and limited access to modern technology. I perceived it as a sector facing constant uncertainty, with farmers struggling against numerous challenges.

 

How has your involvement with AgriNovus and Field Atlas programs reshaped your idea of the agbioscience industry?

Through my involvement with AgriNovus, my perspective has completely changed. I’ve been exposed to the agbioscience industry, where innovation and technology are at the forefront of addressing real-world agricultural challenges. From precision farming and climate-resilient crops to digital platforms and advanced machinery, I’ve seen how technology can revolutionize agriculture, making it more efficient, productive, and sustainable. It has shifted my perception from viewing agriculture as labor-intensive and traditional to seeing it as a tech-driven, data-powered industry with immense potential.

 

What has kept you reengaging with Field Atlas + AgriNovus programs?

What excites me most about agbioscience is the way it integrates technology to solve complex problems, such as optimizing resource use through precision agriculture or improving market access with digital platforms. These innovations are game-changers for farmers, offering solutions to issues like water scarcity and unpredictable weather, which were so prevalent in my earlier experiences. Each program offers new insights into how technology can address these challenges.

 

How do you think the knowledge you have about the agbioscience industry now will play a part in your future endeavors?

This experience with AgriNovus has significantly influenced my career aspirations. I now see the potential for my skills in design and research to make a tangible impact in agriculture, particularly in creating technology-driven solutions that empower farmers. My goal is to work at the intersection of agriculture and technology, developing tools and platforms that can help farmers overcome challenges and thrive in an increasingly complex environment. The knowledge and insights I’ve gained through AgriNovus have fueled my desire to contribute to a more sustainable and innovative agricultural future, both in regions like where I grew up and beyond.

 

What advice do you have for other students interested in getting involved in the agbiosciences?

To other students, I’d say don’t let preconceived notions limit your perspective. My experience has shown me that agriculture is a field full of opportunities for innovation and technological advancement. Engage with programs like those offered by AgriNovus and Field Atlas to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the industry. Be open to learning about the diverse challenges in agriculture and how your unique skills and background can contribute to solutions. Most importantly, recognize that your work in agbioscience has the potential to make a real, tangible impact on food security, sustainability, and farmers’ livelihoods worldwide.

Name: Cole Witmer

University: Purdue University

Major/Minor: Business Analytics and Information Management

Semesters as a Field Atlas Ambassador: This is my first!

What do you enjoy most about the role?

The opportunities to speak with students from different areas of study and talk about their interests. Many people don’t realize there is a place for them in the agbiosciences and being able to foster that connection is fulfilling.

What has surprised you the most about the agbiosciences?

I was unaware of the important role agbioscience plays in environmental sustainability. Beyond enhancing food production, its innovations have helped develop biofuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and much more, making it a key contributor to global environmental efforts.

Which agbioscience company interests you most, and why?

I’m fascinated with the advancements made by Biodyne USA. For example, they have created different sustainable bioremediation solutions using microorganisms which are super cool, and I encourage anyone interested to check them out!

How can students get in touch with you?

They can reach out to me via email or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Name: Charlee Williams

University: Purdue University

Major/Minor: Environmental Science major, Soil Science minor

Semesters as a Field Atlas Ambassador: This is my first semester as a Field Atlas Ambassador!

What do you enjoy most about the role?

I enjoy being able to connect with students in different fields of study and teaching them about the diversity of agbioscience and how it can relate to them!

What has surprised you the most about the agbiosciences?

How applicable it can be to any field! Typically, when you think of agriculture, you think “farming” but agbioscience takes the agricultural ‘roots’ and combines it with so much more in the industry. With business, food science, engineering, technology, data science and more, there are so many opportunities within agbioscience.

Which agbioscience company interests you most, and why?

I have been keeping an eye on Corteva especially because of their passion for Agriscience. I love how they are determined to help the farmer and create new opportunities to advance agriculture through ways connected to agbioscience!

How can students get in touch with you?

Students can reach out to me via email.

By: Geoff Zentz, Senior Director of Innovation, AgriNovus Indiana

 

 

Over 30 college students across Indiana are putting on their entrepreneurial hats to solve critical technology problems faced by farmers on their operations as part of AgriNovus Indiana’s Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

In partnership with the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance, the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge is a nine-week accelerator that empowers innovators with tackling farmers’ most pressing operational challenges. Participants develop market-ready solutions, vying for a $25,000 prize to accelerate commercialization of their solution.

And the proof is in the pudding when it comes to this program. Every winner of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge has either received follow-on funding or has gone on to be acquired. Whether it’s 2020 winner iYOTAH Solutions’ completion of a $2.8 million round this year or 2022 winner Aker Technologies being acquired by Intelinair, emerging technologies that focus on the farmer continue to be rewarded.

The value of the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge spans well past a check being cut, though. Participating teams are given access to guidance from leaders they likely won’t find anywhere else: farmers, scientists, investors, academics and innovation leads at agbioscience companies, to name a few. The goal for innovators? A custom nine-week accelerator experience that allows entrepreneurial minds to know their next steps, regardless of whether they win.

Administrative burden is a broad approach, so what will innovators work on in this year’s challenge? It is simply not good enough to be a solution in search of a problem.  A winning solution will aim to solve in at least one of the following areas:

  • Data Management – developing a unified solution that consolidates financial, agronomic and credit program data to enable seamless access and management in real time; 
  • Government Program Compliance – creating tools to streamline government compliance processes for incentive and risk management programs, reducing farmer time on task;
  • Labor Management – automating and optimizing labor scheduling, tracking time and task assignment based on real time operational needs and worker availability; 
  • Labor Resource Access – designing a platform that simplifies the navigation of labor programs like H2-A, helping producers connect with available labor resources more efficiently despite bureaucratic hurdles; and
  • Robotics and Automation – integrating robotics and automation to supplement human labor, addressing worker shortages while minimizing the financial and logistical burden on producers.

As we work alongside these participating teams over the next several weeks, a focus on the farmer must remain clear.  Recent work done by The Directions Group (formerly Aimpoint Research) alongside Indiana producers dives into their needs at the farmgate to feed people sustainably and efficiently while also driving net farm income and managing environmental pressures. Read that study here and listen to Mark Purdy, EVP for The Directions Group, talk about this study on the Agbioscience Podcast.

More updates to come as we move through our fifth Producer-Led Innovation Challenge. Interested in learning more? Let’s chat – gzentz@agrinovusindiana.com.

This site includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. AgriNovus Indiana has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

In addition to O’Net, AgriNovus Indiana gathered information from several resources. If you would like more information about the data on this site, please contact us at fieldatlas@agrinovusindiana.com.

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