Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) in collaboration with We The Leaders Foundation organised the Youth Farming Conclave 2025 here on Saturday, launching a first-of-its-kind 'Youth Farming Internship Programme' aimed at connecting urban youth with traditional agricultural practices through immersive on-field learning.

Held at the IIT-M Research Park, the conclave brought together young farmers, students, agri-tech innovators and institutional leaders to promote regenerative agriculture and youth-led agri-entrepreneurship. Manoj Kumar, CEO of Naandi Foundation, who was the chief guest, said their organisation had mobilised over one million farmers across the country towards organic farming and emphasised the need to ensure food safety, farmer profitability and environmental sustainability. “If the country wants regeneration, we must return to our roots,” he added.

Shri K Annamalai, Chief Mentor of We The Leaders Foundation, said the Youth Farming Internship initiative would expose students and young professionals to agriculture through eight selected organic farms in Tamil Nadu. “The goal is to plant the seed of farming in young minds,” he noted.

The programme will offer a seven-day full-time immersion and a two-day weekend exposure model. It is planned to be scaled across other districts to create decentralised 'living classroom' farms.

IIT-M Director Prof V Kamakoti highlighted emerging agri-technologies under the institute's Regenerative Agriculture Stack Architecture (RASA) including automated farming and solar-powered devices.

A MoU was also inked between Amul-Richplus Organic Farming Initiative and We The Leaders Foundation to promote market-linked organic farming in the state.