Lok Sabha Question No. 3497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Objectives and Scope of the AgriSURE Fund
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel, Shri Miteshbhai Rameshbhai Patel

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3497

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE AGRISURE FUND

3497.  SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY: SHRI MITESH PATEL BAKABHAI: SHRI HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI PATEL: DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  on  the  specific  objectives  and  sectors  targeted  by the  AgriSURE  Fund to support agri-startups and rural enterprises; (b) the manner in which the Government plan to ensure that innovative and sustainable agricultural practices are encouraged through this fund; (c)  whether  there  is  any  specific  criteria  or  incentives  for  startups  in  States  like  Andhra Pradesh that have a significant rural and agricultural base, to apply for support under this fund and if so, the details thereof; (d) the budget allocation of the upcoming AgriSURE Fund to support agri-tech startups and agripreneurs specifically in Andhra Pradesh; (e) the data on agritech startups and entrepreneurs expected to benefit from this fund along with the impact on the growth and innovation in the agritech sector; and (f) whether the Government has planned to introduce any fund to revive startups undergoing insolvency process which are working in the agriculture sector, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) & (b): The  AgriSURE  Fund,  aims  to  support  early-stage  agri-startups  and  rural enterprises by providing capital assistance in equity and debt. Its specific objectives include fostering innovation, promoting high-risk and  high-impact activities,  and  advancing technologies such as AI, precision farming, climate-friendly solutions, and digital agriculture. The fund also seeks to improve farmers' market access and create rural job opportunities.

Target  sectors  include  agri-tech,  food  processing,  animal  husbandry,  fisheries,  farm mechanization,  biotechnology,  waste  management,  renewable  energy,  supply  chain management,  climate  change  adaptation,  and  cooperative  and  Farmers  Producers Organization  (FPO)  development.  As  the  fund  aims  to  support  advanced  practices  like precision  farming,  AI  applications,  and  automated  farming,  and  facilitate  investment  in waste/residue management, renewable energy, and biotechnology, it will promote climateresilient agriculture aligned with environmental and sustainability goals.

- (c): The criteria or support for startups under the Fund is same across the country.

(d): The total outlay towards AgriSURE is for a corpus of Rs. 750 Crore. Any eligible agriculture  startup  across  the  country  including  Andhra  Pradesh  can  seek  support  upto prescribed limit from the fund following prescribed procedure.

- (e) : All the early stage startups working in agriculture and allied sector are eligible to apply for support under the fund.

The fund will not only provide direct equity support to startups in the Agri tech sector but will also motivate other Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) in the industry to invest in this  sector  and  support  innovative,  technology  driven,  high-risk,  high-impact  activities  in agriculture and allied areas. This will provide much needed impetus to investments in new technologies in agriculture in order to make agriculture a viable option for farmers and new entrepreneurs.

- (f): There is no such plan in DA&FW.

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