(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to encourage agritech startups which can play a major role and change the food industry in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any new technological innovations and initiatives are being taken by the Government to reform and transform the food industry; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *38 FOR ANSWER ON 04TH FEBRUARY, 2020 REGARDING “AGRITECH STARTUPS”
(a) & (b): The Government of India through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched a new component, “Innovation and agri-entrepreneur development” under the scheme Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY)- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) in 2018-19. It promotes agristartups with 8% of the total annual outlay made for RKVY-RAFTAAR. The “Innovation and agri-entrepreneur development” supports agribusiness incubation by tapping innovations and technologies for venture creation in agriculture through incubation facilities and expertise already available with participating academic, technical, management and R&D institutions in the country. The new and existing institutional agribusiness incubators are strengthened on a need basis by providing financial assistance as grants-in-aid.
Department of Science & Technology (DST) under its Seed Support Fund Scheme provides assistance for establishment of Technology Business Incubators (TBI) that nurture innovative and knowledge based start-ups. They are based on innovative applications and state-of—the-art tools leveraging Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud, Mobility, Data Analytics, design innovations etc.
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog is supporting the establishment of new and existing incubation centres that includes support for agritech and as well as food tech startups.
(c) & (d): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) promotes new technological innovations in the food processing sector under its scheme of Research & Development. Various Universities, IITs, Central/ State Government Institutions, Government funded Organizations, R&D laboratories and CSIR recognized R&D units in private sector have financially assisted to the tune of Rs.51 crores to undertake R&D work in the field of food processing sector for product & process development, design and development of equipment, improved storage, shelf-life, packaging etc. The two food technology institutes under MoFPI viz; Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) and National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) have also developed new products and technologies like millet based products, edible plate out of jackfruit waste, post-harvest onion processing machines (small onion), radio frequency (RF) steriliser and bio-degradable food packaging material using agro waste.
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