The Indian Council Of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has launched SHITIJ 2.0, an incubation and mentorship program for agri-startups working in the areas of plant health and precision agriculture. The program is being implemented under the National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF) Scheme through the ICAR Agribusiness Incubation Centre network.
Under the program’s Hub-and-Spoke framework, ICAR-IARI will serve as the Hub-ABIC for Plant Health and Precision Agriculture, supported by seven other ICAR institutes functioning as Spokes. SHITIJ 2.0 National Agricultural Innovation Fund aims to identify and nurture innovative agri-startups by providing structured business incubation, scientific mentorship, technology validation, capacity building and scale-up support.
The SHITIJ 2.0 National Agricultural Innovation Fund program aims to connect selected startups with ICAR scientists, incubation experts, industry professionals and academic experts to help transform promising innovations into viable and scalable enterprises. It will support innovations related to: Plant Health Solutions addressing plant protection, crop diseases, insect pests, biological inputs, plant nutrition, integrated pest management, crop diagnostics and other technologies that contribute to healthier and more productive crops.
Selected startups under the SHITIJ 2.0 National Agricultural Innovation Fund will receive:
- Structured online incubation and mentorship
- One-to-one mentoring by scientists and subject-matter experts
- Business model and market strategy development
- Technical assessment and technology validation support
- Masterclasses and capacity-building sessions
- Support for field trials, pilot testing and product refinement
- Industry, mentor and institutional linkages
- Need-based physical incubation and mentoring support
- Linkages with suitable government schemes and funding opportunities
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of innovation, feasibility, scalability, market relevance and potential impact. Shortlisted applicants will undergo assessment by a Startup Selection Committee comprising experts from industry and academia. Interested candidates can click here to apply
