The Ministry of Defence’s Resettlement Zone (Southern Command) inaugurated the Resettlement Course on Innovation & Agribusiness Management for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Other Rank Officers (ORs) from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The course, which will run from 23rd December 2024 to 14th February 2025, aims to equip armed forces personnel with the skills necessary to transition into agribusiness and entrepreneurial roles, contributing to India’s sustainable economic growth.
The inauguration ceremony, held at VAMNICOM, Pune, was led by Brig. Rohit Mehta, ADG, DRZ (Southern Command), and graced by Dr. Hema Yadav, Director of VAMNICOM, along with other distinguished dignitaries. The program is designed to leverage the leadership, discipline, and strategic thinking honed during military service, preparing participants for success in agribusiness—a key sector for the nation’s development.
The curriculum includes expert-led lectures, interactive workshops, and case studies covering critical topics such as farm-to-market supply chains, agri-tech innovations, financial management, and entrepreneurial strategies. Dr. Hema Yadav, in her address, emphasized the importance of innovation and sustainable agriculture in India’s economic future and highlighted how armed forces personnel are uniquely positioned to excel in this domain.
Brig. Rohit Mehta commended the initiative, calling it a pivotal step in empowering armed forces personnel to make meaningful contributions post-service. He noted that the program reflects a commitment to supporting veterans in achieving successful transitions into civilian careers.
The inaugural session featured a detailed agenda, including registration and a welcome address by Dr. Mahesh Kadam, Programme Director. This was followed by a keynote speech from Dr. Hema Yadav, a special address by Brig. Rohit Mehta, and a vote of thanks from Dr. Kadam.
A total of 46 trainees from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, nominated by the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defence), have joined the program.
This initiative highlights the Ministry of Defence and VAMNICOM’s commitment to the welfare of armed forces veterans, facilitating their integration into meaningful civilian careers. The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) plays a key role in training ex-servicemen for second careers, as around 60,000 service personnel retire each year, many of whom seek new opportunities to support their families and fulfill ongoing responsibilities.
For the financial year 2024-25, VAMNICOM has allocated two batches for the training of JCOs and ORs from all three armed forces. Previously, two similar training batches were successfully conducted in the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
This program is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Defence, the Directorate of Resettlement, and VAMNICOM in empowering India’s veterans to build impactful careers in agribusiness, aligning with the nation’s vision of sustainable development.
