See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3215
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20/03/2026
IMPACT OF AGRI-TECH STARTUPS ON AGRICULTURE IN ANDHRA PRADESH
3215. SHRI SANA SATHISH BABU:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of incubation centres, agricultural universities and research institutions in Andhra
Pradesh facilitating Agri-Tech Startup development, district-wise;
(b) the impact of Agri-Tech Startup interventions on productivity, cost reduction and income
enhancement of farmers in Andhra Pradesh;
(c) the measures taken to facilitate market linkages, pilot projects and field-level
demonstrations of Agri-Tech solutions for farmers in Andhra Pradesh;
(d) the steps taken to encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to strengthen Agri-Tech
ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh; and
(e) whether Government is assessing the impact of Agri-Tech Startup interventions on
productivity, cost reduction and income enhancement of farmers in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) to (e): The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing the “Innovation
and Agri-Entrepreneurship programme” under the Pradhan Mantri- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas
Yojana (PM-RKVY) since 2018-19 with an objective to promote innovation and agri-
entrepreneurship by providing financial and technical support for nurturing startups ecosystem in
the country.
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in Tirupati district has been
setup as a R-ABI in the State of Andhra Pradesh to support the development of agri-startups.
During the period FY 2019–20 to 2025–26, a total of 55 startups have received technical and
financial support from ANGRAU, Tirupati (R-ABI) in the State of Andhra Pradesh under this
programme, with a total funding support of Rs. 3.40 crore.Besides, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has set up 24
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Andhra Pradesh to promote adoption of new technologies of
agriculture and allied sectors through technology assessment, demonstration and capacity
development among the extension functionaries of state governments and farmers.
Under the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship programme of PM-RKVY, Agri-tech
startups are promoted by KPs and R-ABIs through exposure visit to industrial parks as part of
incubation training programme, networking with investors (Private banks and investment
companies) for establishment of production units and upscaling the services, partnering with
Agri innovations facilitating NGOs for identification of grass root farmer innovators, etc.
The agri-startups are working in the various focus areas like precision agriculture, digital
platform/advisory services to support agriculture and helps farmers, input supply chains, crop
improvement, artificial intelligence & technology to provide real-time crop and soil diagnostics
to farmers, hydroponic farming systems, farm mechanization, and market linkages etc. In
Andhra Pradesh, 21 agri-startups out of the 55 agri-startups supported through ANGRAU,
Tirupati (R-ABI) are working directly for 10800 farmers to address challenges related to
productivity, high cost of cultivation, and limited access to markets. Their interventions
contribute to improving farm efficiency, reducing operational costs, and increasing farmers’
incomes.
Government of India organizes various national level programmes including agri-startup
conclave, agri fair and exhibitions to create awareness campaign about the programme and to
promote agri startups by linking them with various stakeholders. Awareness and campaigning
programmes are also undertaken by KPs/RABIs and other incubators to support startups through
workshops, trainings, startups and investors meets, startup and farmers meet, capacity-building
initiatives for upscaling of startup products and service, facilitating them market linkages,
encouraging startups for demonstrations of agri-tech solutions to farmers, etc.
NITI Aayog has evaluated centrally sponsored schemes and found that these interventions
have been relevant in promoting livelihood diversification and attracting educated individuals to
agriculture, particularly under the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship component of PM-
PKVY. The report emphasizes the need for deeper localization, targeted capacity building, and
stronger institutional anchoring to make these interventions more accessible and responsive to
the needs of rural enterprises.
*****