Lovely Professional University’s (LPU) School of Agriculture recently hosted an International Conference on Recent Trends in Smart and Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security-2024 (SSAFNS 2024). The conference was aimed at tackling critical challenges in global food systems by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and provided an invaluable platform for students to learn about the latest innovations, sustainable practices and emerging trends shaping global agriculture and food security.

Bringing together experts, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to share knowledge, innovations and best practices to enhance agricultural productivity, resilience and sustainability, the conference focused on areas such as sustainable agriculture and climate resilience, post-harvest management, value addition, technological advances in food and human nutrition, agricultural policy extension and public health.

Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU was the chief guest of the event and Dr S K Malhotra, VC of MHU Karnal; Dr J S Sandhu, former DDG (Crop Science) at ICAR and Dr R G Aggarwal, Chairman of Dhanuka Agritech Limited were present as guests of honour. Col Dr Rashmi Mittal, Pro Chancellor of LPU, also graced the event. Other eminent speakers included Dr Naveen Shivanna, Dr Dilfuza J Pushkinova from Uzbekistan, Dr Anil Kumar Anal from Thailand and Dr Pankaj B Pathare from Oman.

Dr Mittal made a comment on how the younger generation perceives agriculture, saying that many people consider it to be low-profile despite its historical significance as the earliest profession in history. He urged legislative changes to better assist farmers, highlighting their crucial role as the foundation of any nation.

Dr Malhotra said that the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project and the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) use research and development to tackle the difficulties posed by climate change in agriculture. State governments ought to upgrade intelligent and sustainable methods at the village level in order to successfully execute climate-resilient farming, he further added, explaining that this comprehensive strategy uses AI-based solutions, effective water and fertiliser management, eco-friendly soil and plant health management, protected cultivation and the development of tolerant crop types.

A lecture on Dr M S Swaminathan Memorial was given by Dr Sandhu. He referred to Dr Swaminathan as the pioneer of India's Green Revolution, pointing out that his innovative work had a profound effect on millions of people's lives by changing the country's agricultural landscape and laying the foundation for global food security.

Dr Aggarwal emphasised the revolutionary potential of innovation in Indian agriculture in his speech. Although Indian agriculture is expanding favourably, he pointed out that several crop categories' production is still below international norms. He largely ascribed this to the requirement for high-quality agricultural inputs, non-remunerative crop pricing and farmers' limited embrace of new technologies. He emphasised that raising these elements might greatly raise farmers' profits and general well-being.

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Ola Electric has announced the commencement of mass deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered vehicles. The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is the first product to be powered by the company’s indigenously manufactured 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, which delivers more range, better performance and enhanced safety.

With its own battery packs in the vehicles, Ola Electric is now India's first company to fully own the battery pack and cell manufacturing process in-house.

The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is powered by a 13 kW motor, offering acceleration of zero to 40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. It comes with an impressive 320 km range (IDC with DIY mode).

The S1 Pro+ features four riding modes (Hyper, Sports, Normal and Eco) and also offers enhanced safety with category-first dual ABS and disk brakes in the front and rear. It also gets enhanced ergonomics and comfort, a two-tone seat with supportive foam, body-coloured mirrors, a die-cast aluminium grab handle, rim decals and an expanded colour palette comprising Passion Red, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Jet Black, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue.

“The excitement for S1 Pro+ has been phenomenal. Deliveries are now in full swing, and customers are proudly riding India’s first scooters powered by our own 4680 Bharat Cell. This is a big moment, not just for Ola, but for India’s journey towards becoming a global EV hub. With the national rollout starting soon, we are now ready to take this breakthrough product and technology to every corner of the country,” an Ola Electric spokesperson said.

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CATL and Stellantis broke ground on a EUR 4.1 billion battery plant in Figueruelas, Spain, on 26 November. The 50:50 joint venture will produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and targets an annual production capacity of 50 GW/h.

The project, which is Spain’s largest battery factory, is backed by over EUR 300 million in EU funds, with production expected to start in late 2026.

According to unions, around 2,000 Chinese workers will help construct the site, a point of contention with local authorities and residents. Also, 3,000 Spanish staff are to be hired and trained later.

Spanish authorities and residents have voiced concerns about job opportunities for local workers and potential strain from the influx of foreign employees. CATL Vice President Meng Xiangfeng said earlier in November the company needed experienced technicians to build and fine-tune production lines, with plans to train local workers to take over operations gradually.

David Romeral, Director General of CAAR Aragon, a network of automotive businesses in the region, said: “We don’t know this technology, these components – we’ve never made them before. They’re years ahead of us. All we can do is watch and learn.”

The regional government is organising work permits for arriving workers while seeking to attract battery supply chain companies to Aragon. Some Chinese technicians and managers have already arrived, with several hundred more expected by year-end and nearly 2,000 by the end of next year.

CATL’s approach contrasts with its Hungarian site in Debrecen, where it hired mostly locals to build its European plant. However, a lack of local workers caused production to be delayed from late 2025 into mid-2026. The Figueruelas facility will serve as CATL’s third European manufacturing operation, alongside the Hungarian plant and one in Germany.

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Neuron Energy, an EV battery manufacturer, has raised INR 310 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Equanimity Ventures, Rajiv Dadlani Group, Thackersay Family Office and Chona Family Office, with participation from Family Offices and HNI investors. With this, Neuron Energy has raised INR 810 million to date.

The funding will be used to expand Neuron Energy’s manufacturing capacity to 3 GWh and to establish a fully automated, large-scale battery facility for electric four-wheelers and buses at Chakan, Pune. The capital will also strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, accelerate domestic growth, and broaden its footprint in international markets.

Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy, said, “This Pre-Series B round is a defining step in our mission to industrialise world-class battery manufacturing in India. As EV adoption accelerates, we are focused on building capacity, embedding automation, and pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. This investment ensures we can deliver at scale, both in India and globally.”

The company said it operates with a low-CapEx and low-OpEx business model. It has been growing profitably year-on-year and is on track to achieve INR 2 billion in revenue this year. The company is also confident of achieving sales of over INR 9 billion, with profitability, over the next few years.

Rajesh Sehgal of Equanimity Ventures, added, "We see immense potential in Neuron Energy’s approach to EV battery innovation and scalability. Their focus on quality, automation, and energy efficiency aligns with the evolving demands of the EV industry in India and beyond. We are proud to support their next phase of growth as they scale into new vehicle categories and manufacturing capacities."

The new facility reinforces the company’s position in two-wheeler EV batteries and signals a strategic entry into heavier vehicle segments. This supports Neuron’s vision to become a comprehensive EV battery solutions provider.

Rajiv Dadlani, from the Family Office of the Rajiv Dadlani Group, said, "Neuron Energy demonstrates remarkable potential to become the market leader, with their renewed focus, in delivering top-quality products. The company and its founders are highly committed to delivering rigorously tested and safe-to-use Li-Ion smart batteries. We are confident that they will continue to thrive and set new standards in the industry."

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