Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches AgriSURE Fund [Current Affairs]

In a significant development for India’s agricultural sector, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the AgriSURE Scheme in New Delhi. The AgriSURE Fund, formally known as the Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises, is a ₹750 crore blended capital fund aimed at fostering innovation and growth in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem. With contributions from the Government of India, NABARD, and private investors, this initiative is expected to revolutionize the agricultural landscape by supporting high-risk, technology-driven ventures.

Event Highlights

The launch event was attended by Union Ministers of State for Agriculture, Shri Bhagirath Choudhary and Shri Ram Nath Thakur, and other dignitaries, including Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In his keynote address, Shri Chouhan emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering farmers and enhancing the agricultural sector’s productivity. He reiterated the importance of technology and innovation in ensuring a prosperous farming community.

AgriSURE Greenathon Awards

The event also featured the AgriSURE Greenathon Awards, recognizing the most innovative agri-tech start-ups. Greensapio, Krushikanti, and Ambronics emerged as the top three winners among 10 finalists, with a prize pool of ₹6 lakhs. The Greenathon provided a platform for start-ups to present their solutions to a wide network of stakeholders.

Krishi Nivesh Portal and Other Initiatives

Shri Chouhan also launched the Krishi Nivesh Portal, designed to centralize investment opportunities and enhance agribusinesses. The portal will serve as a comprehensive platform for farmers, entrepreneurs, and industries to access information on various government schemes. Additionally, the minister highlighted the government’s focus on increasing production, reducing input costs, and promoting crop diversification.

Awards and Recognitions

The event concluded with the presentation of AIF Excellence Awards to top-performing banks and states under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF). Banks like SBI, Canara Bank, and HDFC Bank, as well as states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh, were recognized for their contributions to the sector.