Agri UDAAN is a national accelerator program launched by the Government of India to support scale-up stage startups in the agricultural and food sector. Managed by a-IDEA, the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, it provides mentorship, industry networking, and investor access to promising agribusiness startups. The program aims to foster innovation, modernize agricultural practices, and boost farmers’ income by bridging the gap between startups and investors.
What is the Agri UDAAN programme?
Agri UDAAN is India’s flagship Food and Agribusiness Accelerator Program, launched to support scale-up stage startups in agriculture and food sectors. Managed by a-IDEA, the Technology Business Incubator of ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, it provides mentorship, industry networking, and funding opportunities to promising startups.
| Feature | Details |
| Full Name | Agri UDAAN (Agricultural Upliftment through Development and Acceleration of New-age startups) |
| Managed By | a-IDEA, TBI of ICAR-NAARM |
| Objective | Scale-up stage agribusiness startups, foster innovation, enhance farmer income |
| Key Activities | Mentorship, networking, investor pitching, workshops, technology commercialization |
Why was Agri UDAAN launched?
The program was launched to modernize India’s agricultural sector by nurturing startups that can address challenges like outdated technology, weak supply chains, and limited market access. It bridges the gap between startups and investors, promoting sustainable growth and innovation.
| Purpose | Details |
| Innovation | Encourage technology-driven solutions in agriculture |
| Market Access | Connect startups with farmers, corporates, and investors |
| Startups | Focused on scale-up stage with working prototypes and market traction |
| Economic Impact | Boost farmers’ income and rural entrepreneurship |
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Who can participate in Agri UDAAN?
Agri UDAAN is specifically designed for scale-up stage startups in the food and agribusiness sector. Eligible startups typically have a validated product, initial market traction, and a committed core team.
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Stage | Scale-up stage startups |
| Product | Validated product or service |
| Traction | Demonstrated market presence |
| Team | Dedicated full-time core team |
| Certification | DPIIT certification may be required for certain funding benefits |
What are the key features of Agri UDAAN?
The program offers a structured ecosystem to accelerate startup growth through mentoring, networking, funding, and learning opportunities.
| Feature | Details |
| Mentorship | Tailored guidance on business model, market validation, and investor readiness |
| Networking | Connects startups with farmers, FPOs, corporates, government agencies |
| Funding | Access to seed funding up to ₹25 Lakhs and Demo Day exposure to investors |
| Learning | Case-study based workshops on technology commercialization and risk analysis |
| Pan-India Reach | Facilitates collaboration and market access across India |
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Which sectors does Agri UDAAN focus on?
Agri UDAAN supports a wide range of domains within the agricultural value chain to encourage innovative solutions that impact farmers and the industry.
| Focus Area | Examples |
| Smart Agriculture | Precision farming, IoT, AI, ICT, farm mechanization |
| Supply Chain & Post-Harvest | Food processing, logistics, cold storage |
| Specialized Sectors | Animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, vertical farming |
| Agri FinTech | Innovative financial solutions for agriculture |
What are the benefits of Agri UDAAN for startups?
Startups participating in Agri UDAAN gain access to mentorship, investor networks, market linkages, and funding opportunities, enabling faster growth and commercialization of their innovations.
| Benefits | Details |
| Business Growth | Refine business models and scale operations |
| Funding Access | Seed funding and investor pitching opportunities |
| Market Linkages | Connect with corporates, farmers, and FPOs |
| Knowledge | Workshops, R&D collaborations, and tech commercialization |
| Sustainability | Encourage eco-friendly and technology-driven agri solutions |
Who manages Agri UDAAN?
The scheme is implemented by a-IDEA under the supervision of NAARM, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. These institutions ensure that startups receive structured mentorship, market exposure, and investor access.
| Institution | Role |
| a-IDEA | Incubation, mentorship, funding facilitation |
| NAARM | Oversight, research, training, and program implementation |
| Ministry of Agriculture & FW | Policy guidance and regulatory support |
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How has Agri UDAAN evolved over time?
Agri UDAAN has progressed through multiple editions, each building on prior successes, increasingly focusing on scale-up stage startups and emerging agricultural technologies.
| Edition | Focus & Achievements |
| 1.0 – 2.0 | Cohort-based mentoring, shortlisted 40–60 startups |
| 3.0 – 5.0 | Enhanced focus on R&D, climate-smart farming, digital agriculture |
| 6.0 – 8.0 | Scale-up stage startups, investor pitching, technology commercialization, addressing modern agricultural challenges |
Why is Agri UDAAN significant for agriculture?
Agri UDAAN strengthens the agricultural startup ecosystem, promotes technological adoption, improves market linkages, and contributes to sustainable growth and farmer welfare.
| Significance | Details |
| Innovation | Encourages use of precision agriculture, AI, and IoT |
| Entrepreneurship | Supports young innovators and agribusiness entrepreneurs |
| Farmer Welfare | Solutions for income growth, supply chain efficiency, and productivity |
| Economic Impact | Boosts rural employment, market access, and national food security |
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Questions on Agri UDAAN
- Agri UDAAN is managed by which organization?
a) NABARD
b) NAFED
c) a-IDEA, NAARM
d) FCI
Answer: c) a-IDEA, NAARM - The primary aim of Agri UDAAN is:
a) Crop insurance
b) Encourage agri-startups and innovation
c) Subsidize fertilizers
d) Develop irrigation projects
Answer: b) Encourage agri-startups and innovation - Which edition of Agri UDAAN focuses on scale-up stage startups?
a) 2.0
b) 4.0
c) 6.0 onwards
d) 1.0
Answer: c) 6.0 onwards - Agri UDAAN provides seed funding up to:
a) ₹5 Lakhs
b) ₹25 Lakhs
c) ₹1 Crore
d) ₹50 Lakhs
Answer: b) ₹25 Lakhs - Which of the following sectors is NOT a focus area of Agri UDAAN?
a) Agri-FinTech
b) Animal Husbandry
c) Precision Farming
d) Urban Housing
Answer: d) Urban Housing
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Key Points |
| Full Name | Agri UDAAN (Agricultural Upliftment through Development and Acceleration of New-age startups) |
| Managed By | a-IDEA, Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad |
| Objective | Scale-up stage agribusiness startups, promote innovation, improve farmer income |
| Eligible Startups | Scale-up stage with validated product/service, market traction, full-time core team |
| Focus Areas | Smart agriculture, supply chain & post-harvest, animal husbandry & fisheries, agri-fintech |
| Key Features | Mentorship, networking, investor pitching, seed funding up to ₹25 Lakhs, learning workshops |
| Government Support | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, NABARD, DST |
| Editions | 1.0 – 8.0, evolving focus from mentoring to scale-up and technology commercialization |
| Significance | Boosts startup ecosystem, farmer welfare, technological adoption, and rural entrepreneurship |
| Outcomes | Startups scaled, innovative solutions implemented, market access improved, jobs created |
FAQs
a-IDEA under ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad.
Smart agriculture, supply chain, animal husbandry, fisheries, agri-fintech
Ministry of Agriculture & FW, NABARD, and DST.
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