In a significant development for the agricultural sector, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today launched the AgriSURE Scheme at an event in New Delhi. The AgriSURE Fund—Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises—is a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering innovation and driving growth within the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's press release, AgriSURE is a blended capital fund of ₹750 crore, with contributions from the Government of India, NABARD, and private investors, each contributing ₹250 crore. This fund is designed to support high-risk, high-impact ventures that leverage technology to address challenges within the agriculture sector.
Chouhan emphasized the transformative potential of the AgriSURE Fund, stating, "The launch of the AgriSURE Fund is a continuation of our efforts to ensure that every farmer in India has the technological support needed to thrive. Farmers' prosperity will lead to a prosperous economy, as farming remains the backbone of our country."
The event also marked the culmination of the AgriSURE Greenathon Awards, which recognized the most innovative start-ups developing tech-centric solutions to agricultural challenges. The top three start-ups—Greensapio, Krushikanti, and Ambronics—emerged as winners among the 10 finalists, showcasing the potential of India's agri-tech ecosystem.
Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, highlighted the critical need for agricultural start-ups to address farmers' problems, further underscoring the importance of the AgriSURE initiative.
The launch event was attended by key stakeholders from the agricultural community, including Union Ministers of State for Agriculture, senior officials from various ministries, representatives from banks, and state government officials. The introduction of the AgriSURE Fund is expected to drive significant investments in the agriculture sector, empowering farmers and boosting the rural economy through innovative and accessible solutions.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the government's ongoing efforts to support India's farming community and ensure sustainable growth in the agricultural sector