In a recent development, higher education institutions (HEIs) across India have united to establish the nation's inaugural Higher Education Institutions-led 'Agri-Consortium.' by IIM Kashipur, this initiative signifies a pivotal step towards fostering collaboration and innovation in the agricultural sector.

The agreement for this consortium was formalised during the 'Agri-Entrepreneurship in South Asia' Consortium-2023, a transformative event organised by the Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED), an incubation center affiliated with IIM Kashipur, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

CREATING PLATFORM FOR AGRICULTURAL ADVANCEMENT

The 'Agri Consortium 2023,' spanning two days, was conceived with the primary objective of providing a unified platform for academicians, researchers, students, and industry experts to engage in constructive dialogues.

Topics of discussion encompassed the latest trends and innovations in agriculture, technology, research, funding opportunities, and the evolving needs of the industry.

PRINCIPLED AGREEMENT FOR COLLABORATION

As a significant outcome of the consortium, HEIs and universities unanimously agreed upon a principled collaboration framework comprising three vital components:

• Sharing of startup databases: Consortium members will actively exchange startup databases, facilitating a collaborative approach to supporting emerging businesses in the agricultural domain.

 

• Incubation and support programmes: The consortium commits to disseminating incubation and startup support programs, thereby nurturing the growth of agricultural startups.

• Networking and best practices: HEIs participating in the consortium have pledged to create a platform for networking and sharing best practices, fostering a vibrant environment for innovation and collaboration.

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ACKNOWLEDGING SUCCESS AND INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURE

Professor Kulbhushan Balooni, Director of IIM Kashipur, expressed his gratitude for the successful culmination of the 'Agri-Entrepreneurship in South Asia' Consortium 2023.

He emphasised the significance of this consortium as a platform for sharing information on agricultural startups supported by member higher education institutions across India, promoting collaborative efforts that benefit the nation's farmers.

In a parallel development, the RKVY RAFTAAR Scheme, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India through FIED at IIM Kashipur, allocated funding amounting to 1 crore 60 lakh rupees to support ten startup companies.