G. Viswanathan, founder and chancellor of VIT, said Tamil Nadu must improve water management to boost agriculture and protect farmers. At the closing of Agri Expo 2026 organized by VIT's School of Agricultural Innovations and Advanced Learning, he stressed the state faces limited water supply, getting only around 3% of India’s water resources. "The government should eliminate middlemen in farm produce supply chains," he said, highlighting farmers' struggles with crop failures and debt. Mr. Viswanathan urged the state to restore about 41,000 irrigation tanks by desilting and deepening them. This will store excess rainwater during monsoons. He also called for actively interlinking rivers to improve water availability. He noted India is 4th largest economy by GDP, but per capita income remains low at about $2,900, ranking 140th globally compared to richer countries like Japan. The Agri Expo showcased 145 stalls with innovations such as new banana types from NRCB, water-saving tech, and a fruit bagging device developed by VIT faculty. Awards for best stalls in government, private, and women’s self-help group categories were presented with Tamil Nadu Agriculture officials present.