A workshop on Agri Startup & Incubator ecosystem was organized by OFDD at Head Office on 14 November 2018 which was presided over by Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Chairman, NABARD. Shri H.B.Songadkar, Chief General Manager, OFDD while welcoming the participants explained the objective of the workshop. Chairman, NABARD delivered the inaugural address. Shri R Amalorpavanathan, DMD, NABARD, Shri H K Mittal, Adviser, Member Secretary, National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), DST, GoI, Dr Ch Srinivasa Rao, Director, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Dr.K.Srinivas, CEO, a-IDEA, Shri Hemant Mathur of Centre for Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship (CIIE), officials from National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Mentors, Venture capitalist, Agri startups, NABARD supported Agri-Business Incubation Centres of TNAU, Madurai & CCSHAU, Hisar were present in the workshop. CGMs of FSDD, FSPD, FD & DSSI of HO, Principal, NBSC, Lucknow, MDs of NABKISAN and NABSAMRUDHHI were also present and participated in the deliberations.
Dr. Harsh Kumar Bhanwala Chairman, NABARD in his address highlighted on the need for farm mechanization, innovation/technology for a longer shelf life of agriculture produce (warehouse) & different technologies for effective water management among others. In the context of Incubation centers, he impressed upon the need for institutional support especially towards common lab facilities and mentorship for Agripreneurs and Agristartups. Shri H K Mittal, Adviser, Member Secretary presented the scenario of Incubation Centres across the globe including India. He briefed about the types of Business Incubators and various public funding options available for Incubation center. While emphasizing on the dire need for “cult of more Agri-Business Incubators” in India, he highlighted that the role of mentor and incubator managers is very important. Shri.
Srinivas Rao, Director NAARM and President of a-idea made a presentation on the journey of their incubator and its activities.
The stakeholders of the agri startup ecosystem who were present in the workshop exchanged their views and also deliberated on the factors affecting the sustainability of Incubation Centre. The successful agri startups presented the entire gamut of their journey including the constraints and challenges faced. Shri R Amalorpavanathan in his closing remarks expressed his views on collaboration with other stakeholders involved in Agristartups ecosystem for supporting Agri Incubation.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the chairs and to all the participants.