The 5th edition of the FICCI Summit and Awards for Agri Startups was held on 1st-2nd Nov. FICCI believes that awarding startups is a healthy way to motivate them for their impactful innovations. In the 5th edition of the FICCI Summit and Awards for Agritech Startups, ‘KissanPro’ bagged the ‘Agritech startup for Industry partnership’. The ceremony was held in Federation house Delhi. The winners were handed over the awards by the Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Shri Kailash Choudhary, and FICCI delegates.
Entrepreneurship in India has evolved and is constantly growing across all sectors including the agriculture sector. The potential being high these startups would require correct guidance and need to be tested for sustainability which will be overseen by Agri Startup Task Force. The aim is to address issues in the sector and motivate entrepreneurs in order to find innovative solutions. FICCI stated that “we thrive to “Develop India as a hub of Agri innovation by leveraging domestic and global opportunities, driving Industry – start-up partnerships and enabling policy initiatives for adoption of innovations in the agriculture and allied sector”.
The efforts put in by all participants were much appreciated by Shri Kailash Choudhary. He congratulated the winners and discussed how can the Agritech startup ecosystem be strengthened. He also emphasized producing more millet and how they can collaborate with the govt for the same. Previously PM Modi announced a 500-crore acceleration fund for Agritech startups. To give a boost to the Agritech sector PM Modi has also decided to set up separate entities/divisions for startups that come under Agriculture Ministry with a joint secretary assigned to the startups.
KissanPro, a Jharkhand-based startup was launched in 2020 with a vision of aiding efficiency at every stage in the agriculture industry through the help of resources, data science, and technology in order to make it a one-stop solution for farmers and buyers making the harvest available at best prices. The startup is backed by Alumnis from IIT Khadakpur, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore.
In the month of June 2021, KissanPro raised its first seed funding from White Hill venture, Dubai including a few angel investors. Today, KissanPro has more than 300 FPOs (Farmers Produce Organization) and 4000 plus farmers involved spreading across several parts of India. KissanPro has managed to set foot into the eastern states, moving towards the south as well. The Odisha government has asked KissanPro to start the same model in Odisha too.
