IEF of CCSNIAM

The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Federation (IEF) is the agri-business incubation arm of the Ch. Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS NIAM), Jaipur — a premier national institute set up by the Government of India in 1988 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare to advance agricultural marketing through training, research, education and consultancy.

IEF has been designated a Knowledge Partner by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers' Welfare for the execution of the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme, which promotes agripreneurship and innovation across the agriculture and allied sectors. Through its Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Skill Development, IEF runs structured incubation cohorts that move founders from idea to commercial viability.

Programs. IEF offers a two-stage pathway: the Agripreneurship Orientation Programme (Pre-Seed Stage) for early-idea founders, and the Startup Agri-Business Incubation Programme (Seed Stage) for ventures ready to scale. Cohorts include business mentoring, technical assistance, access to domain experts, market linkages and networking support.

Funding. Under RKVY-RAFTAAR, selected pre-seed agripreneurs receive grant-in-aid up to ₹5 lakh, while seed-stage startups can receive financial assistance up to ₹25 lakh, subject to approval by the Selection and Investment Committee (SIC). Grants are disbursed as milestone-linked, no-equity support.

Eligibility. Startups and aspiring entrepreneurs working in agriculture, agri-marketing, food processing, post-harvest management, agri-logistics and allied rural sectors are eligible. Applications are invited cohort-wise through the IEF portal.

Impact. IEF has incubated over 800 startups, recommended grant-in-aid for 300+ ventures, and enabled funding worth more than ₹39 crore — making CCS NIAM one of India's most active agri-incubators.

Who should apply. Agritech and agribusiness founders seeking non-dilutive grant funding, structured mentoring and access to a national agricultural marketing network should apply to IEF's open cohorts via niam-nabi.com.