The IRise program, Syngenta Foundation India’s flagship rural youth skill development initiative, reached a remarkable milestone this year—and there was no better way to celebrate than bringing together the passionate team that made it possible. The PAN India IRise Trainers and Coordinators Annual Meet was held at the Syngenta Baner Office, Pune, over two days of vibrant discussions, planning, and recognition.
The event marked the celebration of training 2,000 rural youth across India in just one year, a feat made possible by the tireless efforts of the IRise trainers, coordinators, and implementation teams. The energy in the room reflected the pride of this achievement and the shared commitment to scale this impact further.
- Day 1 was dedicated to interactive workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and discussions around the future roadmap. The team set a bold new target—to skill 25,000 rural youth over the next five years, beginning with 5,000 youth in FY 2025–26. Action plans were charted out, and collaborative strategies were discussed to make this next leap achievable.
- Day 2 brought a wave of inspiration with leadership from Syngenta India gracing the meet:
Mr. Susheel Kumar, Managing Director, Syngenta India delivered an inspiring keynote address, applauding the dedication of field coordinators and urging them to deepen grassroots engagement.
Mr. K.C. Ravi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Syngenta India reflected on how IRise is evolving into a replicable model for inclusive rural development.
Other distinguished attendees from Syngenta India included Mr. Ajay Pal Rathore, National Sales Manager; Mr. Sachin Kamra, Digital Media Head; Mr. Jagadeesha, CSR Head; Mr. Pritpal Singh and Mr. Chandrasekhar Avugaddi, Divisional Managers from Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, respectively.
From Syngenta Foundation India (SFI), several key team members added strength and strategic direction to the discussions. Mr. Vikram Borade, Chief Operating Officer; Mr. Ravindra Katre, Head- Training and Knowledge Management; Mr. Keshav Borkar, Zonal Head- East and Mr. Sudhir Vadodaria, Advisor-Training who provided field-level insights and shared experiences from the ground.
These interactions not only validated the work done so far but also energized the team to take IRise to new heights.
IRise has grown from a project into a national movement to empower rural youth, build sustainable livelihoods, and create future-ready agri-entrepreneurs. The Annual Meet was not just an event, but a reaffirmation of this mission.
