According high priority to start-ups in the agriculture sector, in the first phase, 112 start-ups in the area of agro processing, food technology and value addition will be funded with a sum of Rs. 1185.90 lakh. This fund will be released in instalments. This was stated by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar.
Tomar stated that new technology in the field of agriculture and allied sectors through start-ups and agripreneurship should be promoted. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the innovation and agripreneurship component has been promoted, he noted.
Tomar stated that earlier in the month while reviewing the progress of agriculture research, extension and education in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that start-ups and agri-enterpreneurs need to be promoted to ensure innovations and the use of technology in agriculture and allied sectors.
The PM also directed that hackathons may be organized twice a year to solve identified problems and meet design needs for tools and equipment that can reduce drudgery in farming activity, disclosed Tomar.
Describing hand holding to agriculture-based activities as important, Tomar emphasized on increasing private investment in the field of agriculture, Tomar has drawn attention to the need for value addition and start-ups. His vision is to attract youth to agriculture and rejuvenate the sector.
In keeping with these initiatives of the Government of India to boost agriculture and allied activities and give an impetus to the rural economy, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) which aims at strengthening infrastructure in agriculture and allied areas, has been revamped, he stated.
Under the revamped scheme, a component Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched in order to promote innovation and agri-preneurship & start-ups by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem. DAC&FW has selected 5 Knowledge Partners (KPs) as Centres of Excellence and 24 RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) from across the country after a nation-wide advertisement and a rigorous selection process.
112 Start-ups selected by different knowledge partners and agribusiness incubators were trained for two months at 29 agribusiness incubation centres (KPs & RABIs) spread across India. “These start-ups will lead to employment for youth. Besides, they, directly and indirectly, will contribute to enhancing the income of farmers by providing opportunities to them” felt the Minister.