In a decisive push toward accelerating India’s agri-innovation economy, Pusa Krishi, ICAR–IARI convened a high-impact ‘Startup–Farmer Connect’ event on 7 November 2025 at Majra Village in Jhajjar, Haryana—bringing cutting-edge agri-tech solutions directly to the fields and farmers who stand to benefit the most. Designed to close the long-standing gap between laboratory breakthroughs and field-level adoption, the initiative positions Pusa Krishi as a central force in transforming India’s agricultural productivity through technology, entrepreneurship, and grassroots collaboration.

More than 75 farmers participated in the on-ground interactions, engaging with innovators from the UPJA and ARISE 2025–26 cohorts. These startups showcased a portfolio of frontier technologies—from precision agriculture systems and post-harvest mechanization to advanced food processing, supply chain modernisation, and logistics optimisation.

For farmers, it was an immersive window into tools that enhance efficiency, reduce losses, and raise profitability; for startups, it was real-time exposure to the operational challenges and nuanced realities of India’s diverse farm landscapes. The result was a rare, high-value feedback loop—one that strengthens both product relevance and innovation scalability.

The event was honoured by the presence of Dr. J.P.S. Dabas, former Head of the Extension Division at ICAR–IARI, who underscored the strategic importance of research institutions, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and farmer communities working in sync. His remarks reinforced a growing consensus across the sector: India’s farm transformation will be powered not just by science, but by startups capable of translating scientific advances into accessible, market-ready solutions.

This grassroots innovation push was further amplified a day earlier, on 6 November 2025, when Pusa Krishi signed 44 MoUs with startups selected under SEED and PRE-SEED funding through its UPJA and ARISE incubation programmes. Backed by financial support, structured mentorship, and unparalleled access to ICAR–IARI’s research infrastructure, these startups now represent one of the country’s most promising agri-tech cohorts poised for rapid scaling.

Together, the MoU signings and the Startup–Farmer Connect showcase signal a clear strategic intent: Pusa Krishi is building a stronger, more agile innovation-to-field pipeline, one that positions farmers as co-creators in India’s technology-led agricultural future. With its dual focus on empowerment and entrepreneurship, ICAR–IARI continues to set the pace for a more productive, profitable, and sustainable agrarian economy—aligning India’s agricultural trajectory with global best practices and the demands of a climate-resilient future.