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Need to Promote Natural Farming and Use of Recycled Water in Agriculture: MoS, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI

Minister Bhagirath Choudhary highlighted government support for sustainable agriculture and agritech innovation at the 6th FICCI Agri Startup Summit & Awards, celebrating various agri startups' achievements.

KJ Staff
Bhagirath Choudhary at 6th edition of FICCI Agri Startup Summit & Awards
Bhagirath Choudhary at 6th edition of FICCI Agri Startup Summit & Awards

Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt of India today said that agriculture has played an important role in India's economy, contributing to inclusive growth, rural incomes and food security. “The government is committed to keeping the agriculture sector viable, innovative and sustainable through its policies and schemes,” he added.

Addressing the ‘6th edition of FICCI Agri Startup Summit & Awards’, Choudhary emphasized that there is a need to focus on promoting natural farming along with the use of recycled water in agriculture. “It is imperative that we should focus on promoting natural farming along with conserving water. We need to not only conserve water but promote the use of recycled water in farming. The government is working on interlinking the rivers in India recycling of water is necessary in farming,” he highlighted. Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable agriculture. We must promote practices that enhance soil health, ensuring a resilient future for our farmers and our nation, he also added.

The Minister while applauding FICCI for organizing the Agri Startup Awards and said that this platform not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of agriculture startups but also provides vital support and incentives, encouraging innovation and growth.

Choudhary also stated that programs like ‘Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) – Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RATAAR) launched by the government aims to strengthen the efforts of farmers, risk mitigation and agribusiness entrepreneurship. We have supported a few thousand startups since the scheme launched in 2018, he noted.

Speaking on the Agri startups, the Minister said that the government's initiatives, like the Startup India program and the recently announced Agri-Sure Fund by NABARD, are designed to provide financial and technical support to agritech startups. “Agri-Sure represents a significant leap forward in our efforts to support innovative and sustainable solutions,” he added.

Hemendra Mathur, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Agri Startups and Technology said that through these awards, we have supported around 150 startups in agriculture sector. “We now have a healthy startup eco-system in agriculture sector. There are around 6,000 active startups actively working in the sector by helping farmers in various segments including productivity, financing, insurance, helping in marketing and buying quality inputs for farming,” he added.

Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said that AgriTech startups are revolutionizing Indian agriculture, serving as a beacon of innovation and hope. The agritech sector has the potential to generate 10 million jobs in rural India, she added.

Arvind Jha, Associate Director, Agri-food-agribusiness practice, One Consulting, PwC India shared the perspective on the emerging trends and unleashing potential of Agri startups in India.

During the event, FICCI Agri Startup Awards were announced.

List of Award Winners

Winners of 6th Edition of Startup Summit and Awards 2024

 

Category

Position

 

Awardees

Best Agtech in Sustainable Agriculture

First

1

Renewagri Om Ecommerce Pvt Ltd

 

First

2

Unnati (Akshamaala Solutions Pvt Ltd)

 

Second

3

Bandhu Renewable private limited

Best Women Agtech Entrepreneurs

Special Jury Award

4

PureMe Organics

Best Agri Fintech Startup

First

5

Ergos- The Grainbank

 

Second

6

Whrrl Fintech Solutions

 

Third

7

Jai Kisan

 

Third

8

Apna Godam

Best Startup in Agri Biologicals

First

9

Barrix Agro Sciences Pvt Ltd.

 

Second

10

Bioprime Agrisolutions Pvt Ltd

 

Third

11

String Bio

Most Innovative Agtech Startup

First

12

Farmonaut Technologies Private Limited

 

Second

13

Innoterra BioScience Private Limited

 

Third

14

Boomitra

 

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