ICAR-CCARI ABI (AGNI) conducted two days Young Agri-entrepreneur’s conclave at Goa

AGNI (Agri-based Growth opportunities for Nurturing startups through Incubation), the Agri-business incubation (ABI) centre of ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (CCARI) Goa organized a two days “Young Agri-entrepreneurs Conclave 2023” from 31^st January 2023 to 1^st February 2023. This Young Agri-entrepreneurs’ conclave was conceptualized to identify the best agri start-up ideas from the ignited young minds (below 40 years of age) to further nurture them through incubation support from AGNI. A total of 42 young entrepreneurs, students and farmers from 6 states (Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) registered for this program. The conclave was inaugurated by Smt. Swetika Sachan IAS, Director (Directorate of Industries, Trade, and Commerce), Govt. of Goa. During her inaugural address, she lauded the efforts of AGNI in promoting agri-entrepreneurship among youth.

The start-up ideas were critically evaluated by esteemed panelists from academia and Industry. The best three startup ideas were awarded the AGNI trophy and the top 10 were awarded a one-year waiver for the incubation fee at AGNI. A team from RAFTAAR-ABI (R-ABI) of ICAR-CIRCOT Mumbai also participated in the program for future collaboration with the AGNI for Idea and seed-stage startup support. During the conclave

During the conclave, Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa assured that the AGNI will make all the best efforts to transform these ideas into industries with the larger goal of retaining youth in agriculture through entrepreneurship. The conclave was coordinated by Dr. Mathala Juliet Gupta, Senior Scientist & PI and Dr. R. Solomon Rajkumar, Senior Scientist& Co-PI of AGNI. Dr. Milind R Bhirud, Chief General Manager, NABARD, Goa region distributed the prizes to the participants during the valedictory session of the conclave.