SAMARTH: Promoting Innovation, Entrepreneurship for Doubling Farmer's Income

RKVY-RAFTAAR- Pusa Krishi Incubator at Zonal Technology Management – Business Planning Development (ZTM and BPD) unit of IARI, has organized the inauguration function of SAMARTH: Innovation & Incubation Induction workshop. This workshop is under the aegis of the “Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation” (RKVY-RAFTAAR)* RKVY-RAFTAR project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Division (MAFW). 

The ZTM and BPD unit has been selected as a Knowledge Partner of the Ministry under the said project for handholding of newly established or inexperienced R-ABIs (Raftar Agribusiness Incubators) as well as for incubation of agribusiness innovators. For the purpose of orientation and training of the R-ABIs, the unit will be organising SAMARTH from 11th to 13th February, 2019 at the Virology auditorium, and the inauguration function of the same will commence at 11 a.m. on 11th February 2019. 

RKVY-RAFTAAR* was launched in 2017-18 with a component for innovation and agri- entrepreneurship. Under this scheme, RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) will be created. New agribusiness incubators will be established as well as existing agribusiness incubators will be strengthened as R-ABIs, with need-based infrastructure, equipment and manpower. These R-ABIs will in turn invite applications from agripreneurs in different stages of the business life cycle (ideation/expansion) and provide them an opportunity to generate innovations in agriculture and allied sector. 

The objective of SAMARTH is to acquaint the incubators under the RKVY-RAFTAR scheme with fundamental aspects of agribusiness incubation including, planning and management as incubator, ecosystem building, engaging stakeholders, streamlining procedures and policies, implementation of the incubation program, funding, and other relevant details. 

Program in brief: 

Upja is an agriculture-focused incubation program powered by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - (RKVY-RAFTAAR), an initiative of Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Designed under the “Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation” initiative of the government, this scheme is structured to promote innovation and entrepreneurship within the field of agriculture production and agriculture-dependent ancillary businesses. 

This uniquely designed program will operate at a centrally located Pusa Krishi Incubator, a world-class facility and infrastructure located at ZTM-BPD unit of Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. 

Start-ups they are looking for: 

Pusa Krishi Incubator is an Agri incubator and hence they are looking for start-ups from Agri sector working at an interface of technology and agriculture. Start-ups that are at the pre-commercialization stage with a minimum viable product (MVP) and undergoing testing and validation with the customer in the market. The startup should have an innovative component, with a technology/ product or service with a unique value proposition which is addressing an existing market need. 

 Some of the key features and benefits of the program are: 

• INR 25 Lakhs 'Grant in Aid ' Funding through the program

• 3-4 Focused mentor group for every startup

• Dedicated scientists, research professionals

• Lab & Infrastructure support

• Market linkages through Internal and external initiatives

• Showcase opportunities across partner events & activities

• Term sheet document & Detailed business plan development

• Investor interaction sessions & Demo day

Note: The above program structure and the timeline are tentative and may vary depending on the availability of experts and other factors.