Agristo India, a prominent global entity specialising in high-quality frozen potato products, recently convened its Annual Farmer Meet 2025. The grand event, held on Tuesday, 13th May 2025, at the Jaypee Greens Resort in Greater Noida, brought together over 400 dedicated farmer partners, highlighting the unity and growing strength of the Agristo family in India. Far from being a mere corporate assembly, the gathering was described as “a celebration of spirit, soil, and shared strength”, emphasising the vital partnership between Agristo and the farming community that forms the backbone of its operations in the region.
Agristo’s presence in India is part of a broader global network that includes three advanced production facilities in Belgium, one in the Netherlands, and one in India. The Annual Farmer Meet serves as a crucial platform to connect, educate, and appreciate the farming community that is acknowledged as integral to Agristo’s growth journey. The structure of the day was thoughtfully planned, “unfolding like the perfect growing season” – beginning with a look back at the past crop year’s learnings, moving through the introduction of innovation, and concluding with heartfelt recognition.
The event featured comprehensive presentations providing valuable insights to the attending farmers. Praneet Pathak and Pushpendra Engla presented the crop year results, offering a detailed analysis of the recent season. A pivotal moment was the keynote address delivered by Jochem Rovers, Chief Operating Officer – Agro for AGRISTO NV, who shared the parent company’s long-term roadmap for India. His address wasn’t just about strategic direction; it also focused on tangible support for farmers. Rovers introduced several modern agricultural techniques and smart equipment that have been specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of Indian farmers. These introductions are aimed at achieving significant improvements in farming practices, with the goals of enhancing productivity, reducing field losses, and promoting sustainable cultivation practices.
Innovation was a central theme, with a key highlight being use of new-generation potato planting & harvesting machinery in potato farming being promoted. These advanced tools are designed not only to increase efficiency in farming operations but also to enable cultivation on larger land areas. This technological focus reflects Agristo’s strategic commitment to enhancing the overall farming experience while simultaneously scaling up its operational footprint in India. The event also saw the presence of other key leaders from AGRISTO NV, including Steven De Cuyper, Agro Business Director International, further highlighting the company’s global commitment to its Indian operations and farmer partnerships.
A particularly poignant part of the meet was the recognition and rewarding of farmer contributions. The event featured a “heartfelt celebration of the farmer community’s dedication”. Awards, monetary cheques, and special recognitions were presented to high-performing partners. These acknowledgements were described as “a small gesture to recognize their big contributions in the fields”. The atmosphere surrounding this segment was one of shared enthusiasm and appreciation.
A major highlight that generated “a moment of collective pride” was the announcement of fully-sponsored international trips for select farmers. Four farmers were chosen to represent India on an extraordinary journey that will take them to Belgium and the Netherlands. The purpose of this trip is multifaceted, offering invaluable global exposure. The farmers will have the opportunity to visit Agristo’s European facilities, gaining insights into the company’s operations on a global scale. They will also explore advanced farming and processing techniques used internationally. Crucially, they will attend PotatoEurope 2025 in the Netherlands, a major international event for potato professionals, providing them with unique access to global best practices and innovations.
Agristo used the platform of the Annual Farmer Meet 2025 to powerfully reaffirm its dedication to empowering Indian farmers. This commitment is demonstrated through continued support, knowledge-sharing, and the introduction of field-proven techniques. The company believes that its increased engagement in the region positions it well to unlock new opportunities for Indian agriculture and, in turn, strengthen the country’s position in the global potato value chain.
As the event concluded, it left a lasting impression that the Agristo India Annual Farmer Meet 2025 was more than a formal meeting. It was a day fundamentally “about people”, a potent reminder that the farmers are not merely contributors but are “the foundation of possibility”. The seamless coordination by the team working “tirelessly behind the scenes” to bring everyone together was also specifically acknowledged, further emphasising the collaborative spirit of the event. With reaffirmed commitments and strengthened partnerships, Agristo India and its farmer partners look set to continue their journey of growth and innovation in the Indian potato sector.
