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.