Lok Sabha Question No. 4234 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Agritech Startups
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4234

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH   MARCH, 2022

## AGRITECH STARTUPS

4234.  SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  there  are  more  than  1,200  agritech  startups  which  are  using  digital techniques;

(b) if so, whether these technologies in the form of data and counselling, soil and crops, learning use of machine, artificial intelligence and in drones etc. are benefitting farmers and if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  Haryana  and  Karnal  Constituency  in  particular; and

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  establish  agritech  startup  in  Karnal Constituency so that farmers can get benefit from these technologies regarding farmer data and counselling on soil and crops, learning use of machines, artificial intelligence and drone form and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी

## (

SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): This Ministry has been implementing a programme called Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development  under Rashtriya Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVYRAFTAAR) since 2018-19 with an objective to promote innovation and agrientrepreneurship by providing financial and technical support for nurturing agri startups including agritech startups using digital techniques. Five Knowledge Partners (KPs) as Center  of  Excellence  and  twenty  four  RKVY-RAFTAAR  Agribusiness  Incubators  (RABIs) have  been  appointed  from  across  the  country  for implementation of this programme.

Under the Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development programme, a total of  799 start-ups in the field of agriculture and allied sectors including agritech startups have been provided technical and financial support.

Besides, the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has been supporting Agri-based  startups including agritech startups using digital  techniques  under the project called  National  Agriculture  Innovation  Fund (NAIF)  initiated in  the  year  20162017. It  has  two  components  viz. I.  Innovation Fund;  II.  Incubation  Fund  and  National Coordinating Unit (NCU).  ICAR  Agribusiness  Incubators (ABIs) provide technical backstopping and other incubation services to startups /entrepreneurs including agritech startups.  ICAR  through  its  ABIs  in  50  institutes  has  supported  a  total  of  818  startups including agritech startups.

Under the Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship programme of RKVY, funds are released  to  KPs  and  R-ABIs  and  not  state-wise.  One  R-ABI  has  been  established  in Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Hisar for supporting startups in agriculture & allied sector in Haryana.  Selected agritech startups using digital techniques may take technical  and  financial  support  at  the  incubation  centre  established  in  CCSU,  Hisar, Haryana under the programme for benefitting farmers including from Karnal.

Under NAIF programme of ICAR, one Agri-Busines Incubation (ABI) Center has been established in National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal. Selected agritech startups  using  digital  techniques  in  Karnal  may  take  technical  support  at  the  above incubation centre. These startups benefit farmers by solving problems related to the farm economy and enhance profitability & efficiency of the farm sector.

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