AgriSURE Scheme: Transforming India’s Agricultural Landscape The AgriSURE (Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises) Scheme was recently launched by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in New Delhi, marking a transformative step in the development of India's agricultural ecosystem. The scheme aims to support and promote innovation in agriculture and rural enterprises, focusing on technology-driven solutions that can address the challenges faced by farmers.
Key Features of the AgriSURE Scheme:
- Fund Structure:
- AgriSURE is a Rs 750 crore blended capital fund, which is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
- The fund has contributions from:
- Government of India: Rs 250 crore.
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD): Rs 250 crore.
- Private Investors: Rs 250 crore.
- Objective:
- The main aim of the scheme is to fuel growth and innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up sectors.
- It focuses on high-risk, high-impact ventures that are technology-driven and have the potential to revolutionize the agricultural value chain.
- Focus Areas:
- The fund prioritizes tech-centric solutions that address key challenges faced by farmers, including crop management, water usage, supply chain efficiency, and sustainable farming practices.
- It also seeks to empower rural enterprises by providing them with the necessary capital to scale and innovate.
AgriSURE Greenathon Awards: Recognizing Innovation
The
AgriSURE Greenathon Awards were held in conjunction with the launch of the scheme, recognizing the top
agri-tech start-ups that are transforming the agricultural landscape with their innovative, technology-driven solutions. The event highlighted the growing importance of start-ups in driving
sustainable agricultural development in India.
Winners of the AgriSURE Greenathon Awards: - Greensapio – Winner: Recognized for its impactful solutions aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity through innovative tech.
- Krushikanti – Runner-Up: Focused on providing sustainable farming solutions.
- Ambronics – Second Runner-Up: Known for its contributions to the agriculture sector using modern technology.
- The competition saw over 2,000 start-ups vying for recognition, with a total prize pool of Rs 6 lakhs. The awards emphasized the role of technology in solving critical challenges in agriculture and its potential to improve farmers' livelihoods.
Related Initiatives in Agri-Tech: In line with AgriSURE, the government is driving several initiatives to foster
digital agriculture and empower farmers with technology:
- Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM): Focuses on using digital technologies to improve the agricultural sector’s productivity and efficiency. It aims to create a smart, tech-enabled farming ecosystem.
- AgriStack: A comprehensive digital infrastructure aimed at integrating data systems across the agriculture value chain to improve decision-making, delivery of services, and resource management for farmers.
- Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP): A digital platform designed to offer a one-stop solution for all farmer services, including market information, input availability, and financial assistance.
Key Takeaways
The
AgriSURE Scheme represents a crucial step in revolutionizing India’s agricultural sector by providing funding and support to
start-ups and
rural enterprises. By focusing on
technology-driven solutions, the scheme aims to address critical challenges in the agriculture value chain, thereby boosting productivity and sustainability.
Alongside this, the
AgriSURE Greenathon Awards highlight the growing role of innovation in agriculture, recognizing the potential of
start-ups to transform the sector and improve farmers' lives. With initiatives like
Digital Agriculture Mission,
AgriStack, and
Unified Farmer Service Platform, India is steadily progressing towards creating a
tech-enabled farming ecosystem that can drive
inclusive growth and contribute to national food security.
Launch your Graphy