The AVF Asia Forum 2026, originally scheduled for March 9 to 11 at Christ University in Bangalore, has been rescheduled to allow time for completion of the Government of India approval procedures required for international conferences involving foreign speakers and ministry participation.
According to Dharmendra N. Rai, Country Director of the Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) India, the postponement is tied to formal compliance steps rather than changes in scope or intent. "When we organise an international conference of this scale, we must complete the necessary approvals from the relevant ministries," Rai says. "It is important that the conference is conducted in a proper, systematic manner. We want everything aligned correctly before we begin."
Institutional alignment across ministries
Rai confirms that coordination is underway with multiple authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Home Affairs for visa-related procedures. State-level engagement, including with the Karnataka State Medicinal Plants Authority, is also part of the process.
"To bring international scientists, industry leaders, regulators, and policymakers together, we need clearances in advance," Rai says. "Aligning these approvals will ensure that international participation and institutional collaboration take place smoothly." The organisers are also ensuring the event fits within the Ministry of AYUSH conference and funding frameworks, which govern institutional support mechanisms for medicinal plant initiatives.
Focus remains on medicinal plants under CEA
Organised by AVF in collaboration with Christ University and regional partners, the event is centred on the theme "Elevating the Value of Medicinal & Herbal Plants through Controlled Environment Agriculture." Rai maintains that the focus remains unchanged.
The forum is now expected to be rescheduled for the latter half of June 2026, subject to completion of the required formalities. "We remain committed to structuring this conference as a meaningful platform," Rai adds. "Completing the approvals properly will strengthen its credibility and long-term impact."
Updated dates will be announced once the approval process has been finalised.
For more information:
AVF Asia Forum 2026
Dharmendra Rai, Country Director
[email protected]
www.avf-asiaforum.org
