Lok Sabha Question No. 316 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.316 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre

## 316. SHRI HIBI EDEN:

## Will  the Minister  of FISHERIES,  ANIMAL  HUSBANDRY  AND  DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  the  establishment  of  India's  first  Fisheries  Atal  Incubation  Centre  at  Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) is a step towards fostering innovation in the fisheries sector and if so, the details thereof
- (b) whether  the  primary  objective  of  the  Atal  Incubation  Centre  at  KUFOS  is  to  create  a conducive environment for start-ups and innovative projects in the fisheries sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) Whether the Atal Incubation Centre aims to address challenges in marine ecosystems and fishing communities by developing cutting-edge technologies and solutions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) Whether the Government has any plans to allocate additional resources or support for similar initiatives  in  different  sectors  to  drive  innovation  and  job  creation  in  line  with  the  Atal Incubation Centre for fisheries in Kerala and if so, the details including the total allotment and expenditure

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  India's  first  Fisheries  Atal  Incubation  Centre  (AIC)  at  the  Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) has been established in the year 2016 under Atal  Innovation  Mission  (AIM),  NITI  Aayog,  a  Government  of  India's  flagship  initiative  to promote culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. Over last 7 years, AIM has taken a holistic approach to ensure the creation of problem solving innovative mindset in schools and creating  an  ecosystem  of  entrepreneurship  in  universities,  research  institutes,  private  and MSME  Sectors.  AIM's  flagship  programs  include  establishing  Atal  Tinkering  Labs,  Atal Community Innovation Centres, Atal Incubation Centres, and finding ultra-low-cost solutions to India's most intractable problems through Atal New India Challenges.

Moreover, Atal Innovation mission has been tasked with establishing and supporting world-class incubators in the academic, R&D centres and private sectors so that innovative start-ups can be encouraged  and  become  scalable  and  also  produce  successful  firms  in  fish  harvest  and  postharvest sectors that will make the AIC financially viable, commercialise new technologies and create new jobs in the fisheries sector.

(c): Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) - KUFOS has focussed on the challenges in the fisheries sector by promoting and commercialising innovative technologies in areas such as Aquaculture, Fish  processing  and  technology,  Aquatic  animal  health  management,  Marine  Biology  and Oceanography.

Startups  incubated  with  Atal  Incubation  Centre  (AIC)  are  facilitated  services  like  mentoring by subject matter experts, ideation and strategy sessions with mentors, industry and investor connect, legal and compliance support, global exposure, team building, access to lab facilities for prototype development and co-working space for daily operations. Further, the AIC also assists startups in filing patent applications, besides providing seed funds for developing their innovations.

(d): The mandate of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is to establish 101 Atal Incubation Centres across the country. Till date, AIM has established 72 Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) across  the  country.  In  line  with  AIC  -  KUFOS  in  the  fisheries  sector,  AIM  had  successfully operationalized in other emerging sectors such as Defence, Textiles, Coffee, Cleantech, Dairy, and SDGs. The AICs are provided with a Grant-in-Aid of up to INR 10 Crore disbursed in three to  five  tranches  for  five  years,  covering  the  capital  expenditure,  core  team,  seed  capital,  and incubation services expenses.

## Impact Numbers of AIC

- -72 AICs operationalised
- -3000+ Startups incubated.
- -900+ Startups are women-led.
- -30,000+ Jobs created by startups directly.
- -460+ IPs generated.
- -2200+ Mentors mobilised
- -4000+ Events conducted including 800+ capacity-building training programs.
- -2400+ Crores of external funds raised from private investors.

Further,  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Matsya  SampadaYojana  (PMMSY),  Department  of  Fisheries, Government of India is supporting for innovations and innovative activities under Central Sector Scheme  sub  component/  Activities  with  100%  funding.  It  includes  support  of  unit  cost  of Innovative  projects-up  to  Rs.  1  crore,  Incubation  Centres-  up  to  Rs.  3  crores,  Technology Demonstration project- up to Rs. 2 crores, Startups up to Rs. 50 lakhs and Pilot projects- up to Rs. 2 crores.