Pusa Krishi, ICAR–IARI organized a ‘Startup-Farmer Connect’ event on 7 November 2025 at Majra Village in Jhajjar, Haryana, bringing agricultural innovators and farmers onto a common platform to exchange ideas, experiences, and technological insights.
The event witnessed active participation from more than 75 farmers from the village, who engaged in an interactive session with startups from the UPJA and ARISE 2025-26 cohorts. These startups showcased a wide range of cutting-edge solutions, including precision farming tools, post-harvest technologies, food processing and value addition innovations, supply chain advancements, and agricultural logistics. The demonstrations and discussions focused on enhancing farm productivity, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
The platform enabled two-way learning, as startups gained practical insights into field-level challenges, while farmers explored innovative technologies that could be adapted to local conditions. Such interactions aim to strengthen the innovation-to-field pipeline, ensuring that research-driven technologies reach farmers effectively.
Dr. J.P.S. Dabas, former Head of the Extension Division at ICAR-IARI, graced the event as the Chief Guest. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between research institutions, startups, and farmers in accelerating agricultural transformation and promoting entrepreneurship-led growth in the sector.
A day earlier, on 6 November 2025, Pusa Krishi signed MoUs with 44 startups selected under SEED and PRE-SEED funding through the UPJA and ARISE incubation programs at its New Delhi office. These startups will receive financial support, mentorship, and access to ICAR-IARI’s extensive research ecosystem to scale their innovations.
The event reaffirmed Pusa Krishi’s commitment to empowering farmers and nurturing a vibrant agri-startup ecosystem aimed at building a more productive and sustainable future.
