NEXT GEN AGRI INNOVATION FOUNDATION (NG-AiF) – Empowering Rural Agripreneurs Under RKVY-RAFTAAR
Location: Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Maharashtra.
Next Gen Agri Innovation Foundation (NG-AiF), established in March 2024, is a forward-thinking agri-business incubator set up under the prestigious RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Located at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Maharashtra, NG-AiF plays a pivotal role in empowering early-stage startups and agripreneurs with innovative, sustainable solutions across agriculture and allied sectors. The foundation offers end-to-end support—technical mentoring, financial assistance, and infrastructure—to help entrepreneurs transform rural innovations into scalable and commercially viable agri-business ventures.
Mission & Vision
- Mission: To accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture by supporting idea-stage and early-stage startups through structured incubation, funding, and mentoring.
- Vision: To become a nationally recognized hub for rural innovation and agribusiness incubation, creating sustainable employment and empowering youth in agriculture and allied sectors.
Services Offered
- Pre-Seed (Sankalp) Program – Residential orientation and training for idea-stage innovators; ₹5 Lakh grant support.
- Seed Stage (Siddhi) Program – For startups with MVP or market-ready products; funding up to ₹25 Lakh covering 85% of project cost.
- Honey Incubation Support – Special schemes under NBHM for honey-based product startups.
- Technical Mentorship – Domain-specific guidance from agricultural scientists, entrepreneurs, and financial experts.
- Co-working Space & Lab Access – Infrastructure support at PDKV for prototype testing and team development.
- Investor Connects & Demo Days – Exposure to VCs, angel investors, and agri industry stakeholders.
Eligibility & Application
- Eligibility: The Next Gen Agri Innovation Foundation (NG-AiF) accepts applications from Indian citizens aged 18+ with innovative ideas in agriculture and allied sectors. For the Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (AOP), applicants must present a validated agri-based idea, while the Startup Agri-Business Incubation Programme (SAIP) requires a working prototype or MVP. Eligible applicants include student innovators, registered startups, rural entrepreneurs, and individuals working in agri-tech, sustainable farming, food processing, animal husbandry, or agri-waste management. DPIIT registration is preferred but not mandatory.
- Application: Interested candidates can apply online via the official NG-AiF portal during announced intake periods (typically twice a year). Required documents include ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN), a pitch deck or business proposal, and bank details. Shortlisted applicants are invited for interviews and evaluated based on innovation, scalability, and impact. Selected startups receive funding, mentoring, and ecosystem access under NG-AiF’s incubation program.
Leadership & Partnerships
- Leadership: The Next Gen Agri Innovation Foundation (NG-AiF) is guided by a highly experienced Board of Directors comprising domain experts such as Dr. Vilas Kharche, Santosh Gahukar, and Shyamsunder Mane. The incubation programs and daily operations are efficiently managed by a dedicated team based at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, which ensures smooth execution, outreach, and measurable impact across all incubation activities.
- Partnerships: The Next Gen Agri Innovation Foundation (NG-AiF) is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) under the RKVY-RAFTAAR initiative and is strategically hosted by Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, which offers academic and infrastructure support. NG-AiF also collaborates with Startup India, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and leading Agri-Tech companies to enable pilot trials, enhance rural outreach, and establish investor and market linkages for incubated startups.
Events & Outreach
- Cohort-based Orientation: NG-AiF hosts residential training programs for selected innovators to refine their business plans.
- Hackathons & Bootcamps: Thematic events on precision agriculture, sustainability, and climate-smart practices.
- RIC Panel PresentationsStartups pitch to expert committees for selection and funding.
- Workshops & Awareness Drives – Held across rural colleges and FPO clusters to promote agri-innovation.
- Product Showcases – Startups display tech and products to investors, government buyers, and industry partners.
Contact Information
Address:Next Gen Agri Innovation Foundation (NG-AiF)Hosted at: Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Krishinagar, Akola – 444001, Maharashtra, India
Website: www.utkarshrabiakola.com
Email: info@utkarshrabiakola.com
Want to Promote your Agri- Incubator?
Showcase your incubator to agri changemakers.
Trusted by 50+ incubators across India
Sponsored Ads
Sponsored Ads
