New Delhi, February 6, 2023: To foster agri-startups growth the Government of India has announced the appointments 5 Knowledge Partners (KPs) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) for training & incubation of agri-startups and implementation of this programme.
The Government of India reaffirmed its commitment today, to nurture and help scale the agri-startups landscape in the country, aiming to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors.
Under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW), the “Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development” program, operating within the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) since 2018-19, stands as a catalyst of support for burgeoning agri-startups in the agricultural domain.
Here are the key highlights of the initiative, that Agri-startups can benefit from
- Financial aid up to Rs. 25 lakh for product launches and scaling.
- Comprehensive training and mentorship on technical, financial, and IP issues.
- Exposure through government-led programs like conclaves, fairs, and workshops.
- Access to a network of stakeholders for collaboration and growth.
- Support from 5 Knowledge Partners and 24 Agribusiness Incubators for guidance and incubation.
Financial and Technical Support
- The program focuses on nurturing the startup ecosystem by providing both financial and technical assistance.
- Startups at the idea/pre-seed stage can receive up to Rs. 5.00 lakh, while those at the seed stage are eligible for funding of up to Rs. 25 lakh.
- This financial aid aims to facilitate the launch of products, services, and business platforms in the market and enable startups to scale up their operations.
List of Knowledge Partners (KPs) and RKVY-Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs)
- Five Knowledge Partners (KPs) and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) have been appointed to provide training and incubation for agri-startups under the program.
- Notable KPs include institutions such as MANAGE, Hyderabad, and NIAM, Jaipur, among others.
- RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) span across various regions, including Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, among others.
Training and Incubation
- Startups selected by KPs and R-ABIs undergo comprehensive training and incubation.
- Technical support and mentorship are provided, addressing financial, technical, and IP-related issues.
Government-led initiatives such as agri-startup conclaves, fairs, exhibitions, webinars, and workshops serve as platforms for promoting agri startups and linking them with stakeholders.
Financial Assistance Disbursement
The program disburses funds to KPs and R-ABIs situated across different states.
From 2019-20 to 2023-24, a total of Rs. 111.57 crores have been released in installments to support 1554 agri startups through various KPs and R-ABIs.
In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda, affirmed the government’s firm commitment to advance agri-startup ecosystem, underscoring its pivotal role in driving innovation and growth in the agricultural sector.
