Regular Update
ATM News Network: Niti Aayog has suggested that states should formulate their specific agri-technology policies to encourage agri-based startups. It is also suggested to enable digitization of licensing system, ensure quality data and ensure end-to-end integration of such startups to expand operations.
The white paper 'Be Prepared to Solve Food Security Challenges' under NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission states that agricultural technology solutions available in the market are improving the lives of smallholders by improving quality inputs, market access, risk reduction, access to information. and many other products and services, resulting in improved productivity and cost realization.
Still, agritech-based startups cannot grow as fast as startups in other sectors, as they face challenges related to lack of quality data, regulations and agri-related infrastructure.
Atal Innovation Mission white paper prepared under NITI Aayog in partnership with United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and collaboration with Rabo Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The Commission has proposed half a dozen recommendations to help India's agri-tech startups achieve their full potential and ensure food security in the country.
These include improving end-to-end connectivity, access to public data, promoting local infrastructure for farm-level processing, digitization of licensing systems, formulation of specific agri-technology policies by states and establishment of facilitation hubs for agri-technology-based startups locally as well as globally.
A separate agri-tech startup policy would go a long way in encouraging and facilitating many such startups. It will help government departments work on issues related to data sharing, data usage and privacy issues by private companies,' it said.
It also suggested setting up a central body that would work with industry associations, relevant embassies and multilateral organizations and encourage startups to expand into other markets.
The Commission believes that reaching individual farmers is challenging for startups due to India's fragmented land and many smallholder farmers. There are more than 2,000 agritech startups in India. The government aims to grow 10,000 startups in the future
