Noida/Kanpur, February 24, 2026: The Foundation for Innovation and Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), IIT Kanpur, through its incubation arm, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), has been formally designated as the Knowledge Partner for the RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. The announcement was made during a Launch and Stakeholder Engagement Event held at the IIT Kanpur Noida Outreach Centre, presided over by Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, as Chief Guest.

Dr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO, FIRST IIT Kanpur, delivered the Welcome Address and formally announced the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The vision and framework of RKVY-RAFTAAR were presented by Ms. Surbhi Awasthi, General Manager, FIRST IIT Kanpur. As Knowledge Partner, FIRST IIT Kanpur will play a pivotal role in driving agri-startup incubation, structured mentorship, funding linkages, and strategic coordination with RKVY Agri-Business Incubators (RABIs) across the country. The collaboration aims to strengthen innovation across precision farming, agri-biotechnology, post-harvest technology, and allied agricultural sectors, creating a robust pipeline of scalable agritech solutions.

“FIRST, IIT Kanpur brings world-class academic rigour and a proven innovation ecosystem to RKVY-RAFTAAR. This partnership will meaningfully accelerate agritech entrepreneurship and create lasting impact for India’s farming communities,” said Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

Shri K. Vijayendra Pandian, IAS, Commissioner Kanpur and Vice Chancellor, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, addressed the gathering as Guest of Honour and emphasised the importance of strong university–startup linkages in strengthening India’s agricultural innovation pipeline. Shri Pankaj Kumar, Chief General Manager, NABARD Regional Office Lucknow, delivered the Special Address and reaffirmed NABARD’s commitment to financing agritech innovation and supporting startups emerging from the RKVY-RAFTAAR ecosystem.

“Agriculture is the backbone of India, and agritech innovation holds the key to making it more productive and resilient. We are committed to channelling IIT Kanpur’s two-decade-long expertise in deep-tech incubation into transforming India’s agritech sector,” said Dr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO, FIRST IIT Kanpur.

A key highlight of the event was the Agri-Startup Showcase, featuring five promising ventures from the IIT Kanpur innovation ecosystem, namely ScaNxt, Fruvetech, Regenerix F2DF – किसान की Online दुकान, and OpenSpectrum AI. The startups presented innovative solutions spanning precision agriculture, post-harvest technology, and rural supply chain optimisation. The pitches drew strong engagement from policymakers, highlighting the depth of agritech innovation being nurtured within India’s academic institutions. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr. Piyush Mishra, COO, FIRST IIT Kanpur, followed by an Open House Interaction and Networking Lunch designed to foster meaningful collaborations among stakeholders.

About RKVY-RAFTAAR

RKVY-RAFTAAR is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and value addition across agriculture and allied sectors through a nationwide network of RKVY Agri-Business Incubators.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

Established in 2000, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is among India’s earliest and largest technology business incubators, with over 25 years of experience and more than 500 startups nurtured to date across sectors including defence, aerospace, fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. SIIC operates under FIRST, a Section-8 company promoted by IIT Kanpur, and serves as a cornerstone of the institute’s innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystem.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India. Renowned for excellence in science, engineering, and interdisciplinary education, IIT Kanpur spans a 1,050-acre lush green campus and comprises 20 departments, 27 centres, three interdisciplinary programmes, and three specialized schools. With over 570 faculty members and more than 9,500 students, the institute continues to lead in innovation, research, and holistic development.

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