New Delhi, Sep 14 (Agency) Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje on Wednesday said that the Agri Startups should keep India as global leader in the agriculture sector. Speaking after presenting Awards to 32 Agri Startups in a function held at MANAGE, here, the Union Minister said that Agri Startups should play a key role in handholding smallholder farmers in the country and ensuring more income for their produce in the domestic and global markets. Agri Startups with their innovation should keep India as a Global Leader in Agriculture, she said. She highlighted the initiatives of Government of India to support agriculture sector through Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, RKVY, Oilseed Mission and promotion of FPOs, Agri Startups, and One District One Product (ODOP) and reiterated Prime Minister’s vision to make Atmanirbhar Bharath in Agriculture sector and Agri Startups have to put their efforts to realise this vision.
Shobha appreciated MANAGE for encouraging Agri Startups with the awards, in collaboration with partners like Samunnati and urged to establish MANAGE Agri Startup Academy to provide a platform to strengthen all Agri Startups in the country. Anil Kumar, Founder & CEO, Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services said that Samunnati will partner with Agri Startups to support smallholder farmers. MANAGE Director General Dr Chandra Shekara assured that MANAGE will promote Agripreneurship and handhold Agri Startups in the country. Of the total awards, five are national level and 27 are state level. The Union Minister also inaugurated a 15-day International Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Training Program on “Computer Applications in Agricultural Extension” wherein 30 delegated from 15 countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America participated. She also inaugurated the Hybrid Solar Unit with 25 kwp at MANAGE which produces 7 units per kwp per day.