Youth-led innovation in agriculture is proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, said Arka Mukhopadhyay, a B.Tech Dairy Technology student at the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences.
Speaking at the 2nd Yuva Sustainability Conference (Online) titled “Beyond COP30: Empowering Youth for Climate Action”, Arka highlighted the impact of the Pro-Bio Circular Dairy Model, an initiative focused on transforming cow dung into renewable energy and organic fertilizer. “Through this model, we are reducing methane emissions by nearly 20 per cent, increasing milk yield, and restoring soil health across parts of West Bengal,” he said.
He emphasised that climate-smart agriculture is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical, scalable solution driven by youth at the grassroots. By converting agricultural waste into valuable resources, the model strengthens rural livelihoods while addressing climate and environmental challenges simultaneously.
Arka called on young people to move beyond awareness campaigns and actively build solutions within their communities. “As youth, we are not just raising awareness—we are building solutions. It’s time we stop waiting for change from above and start driving it from our communities,” he said.
The conference was organised by Voices of Bharat: Yuva for Sustainability, a Sustainability Karma initiative, with Lok Samvad Sansthan as the implementation partner, in association with the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Jamia Millia Islamia.
Arka underscored the transformative potential of circular economy approaches in agriculture, reinforcing the role of youth as key drivers of sustainable and resilient food systems.