Kanpur, 11 October 2023: The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing four upcoming agri-business incubators across the state. This decision to entrust the responsibility came from the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh, during a transformative agricultural workshop titled 'Uttar Pradesh Krishi Prayogiki Manthan' held at IIT Kanpur. The collaborative effort between SIIC IIT Kanpur and the state government demonstrates the state's commitment to driving positive change and propelling Uttar Pradesh towards a sustainable and prosperous future in agriculture.

The event witnessed the presence of guests, including Shri. Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Raj Shekhar, Secretary of Agriculture, and Shri. Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, Special Secretary from the Department of Agricultural Research and Education.

Shri. Devesh Chaturvedi, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, stated, "The agricultural sector will play a pivotal role in realizing the objective of creating a trillion-dollar economy and transforming India into a developed nation by 2047. There is a pressing need for the emergence of startups in the sector as 65 per cent of the workforce still relies on agriculture. In this endeavour, there is no better mentor than SIIC, IIT Kanpur, in establishing agri-business incubators across the state. With the contribution of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, we have the potential to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, bolster production, and elevate the overall economy of the state.'

Acknowledging the responsibility, Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor-in-Charge at SIIC, IIT Kanpur said that "the responsibility provides a pivotal opportunity for IIT Kanpur to forge meaningful collaborations with agricultural universities while helping them set up agri-business incubation centers".

The workshop brought representatives from various agricultural universities from across the state, including Kanpur, Banda, Ayodhya, Meerut, and Prayagraj. The participants engaged in discussions on setting up the innovation hubs, emphasizing the need for collaboration and strategic planning. The workshop provided insights into the operational aspects, emphasizing the key factors essential to their successful establishment. Experts from SIIC IIT Kanpur conducted informative sessions covering topics such as project report preparation, incubation system functioning, and critical considerations for incubation center success.

The workshop showcased solutions from agricultural startups, including LCB Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd., AgroNXT Pvt. Ltd., Saptkrishi Pvt. Ltd., and Invoviron Industries Pvt. Ltd.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, is one of the oldest incubators in the country. It was established in 2000 when the entrepreneurial ecosystem was still at a nascent stage in India. The multifaceted and vibrant incubation ecosystem at IIT Kanpur, nurtured for over two decades, prospers to fill the gaps on the road to converting an idea into a successful and meaningful business model. The domain expertise combined with the infrastructural prowess of the academic institute has collectively demonstrated a knack for tremendous social impact and technological advancement over the years.

For more information, visit, https://siicincubator.com/.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 550 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.