AGRI UDAAN is a wonderful illustration of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework
The launch of AGRI UDAAN 6.0, the Food & Agribusiness Accelerator Program of a-IDEA, TBI of ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad was held. AGRI UDAAN 6.0 is the 6th edition/ version of the Food & Agribusiness Accelerator Program of a-IDEA which focuses on catalysing scale-up stage Food and Agribusiness startups through rigorous mentoring, industry networking, and pitching before investors.
Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, ICAR-NAARM during his presidential address, discussed the need for a startup ecosystem and the agriculture startup ecosystem gaining momentum. He stated that innovation and new ideas in startups were the only means to address the challenges faced by the farmers. He presented the overall success journey of earlier versions of Agri Udan.
K. S Mahesh, General Manager, NABARD, Bangalore appreciated the efforts of a-IDEA in hand-holding startups to linking them with mentors, investors, and agri-industries and assisting them with technical, business, and market support wherever needed.
Shantaram Pai, General Manager, Agri Business Unit, SBI stressed that there were numerous problem statements like productivity, efficiency etc. which are lying untouched and unaddressed and startups need to work together.
Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Director, ICAR-NIANP applauded AGRI UDAAN, which was being carried out on a prestigious scale year after year benefitting numerous stakeholders in the startup ecosystem by building a holistic framework.
Dr G. Venkateshwarlu, Joint Director, ICAR-NAARM in his welcome address, highlighted the need for organising the launch of the Program in Bengaluru which is the hub of several startups. Besides, among the 247 startups that are incubated at a-IDEA, a maximum number of startups are in Telangana followed by Karnataka.
Dr Ravi Shankar, Angel Investor highlighted AGRI UDAAN which is a wonderful illustration of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework. He indicated the positive reflections of AGRI UDAAN from the startups, mentors and investors belonging to the previous cohorts.
