AgriSURE – Direct Scheme
A programme by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)
Equity investment from NABARD's own fund into DPIIT-recognised agri and rural startups — the one route on NABARD's site a founder can approach directly.
At a glance
| Best for | DPIIT-recognised, India-incorporated startups in agriculture, allied and rural sectors |
|---|---|
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Free, takes equity |
| Run with | Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, NABVENTURES Ltd |
About AgriSURE – Direct Scheme
AgriSURE is a fund set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and NABARD and registered with SEBI as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund. It has two schemes; this is the one that invests straight into companies. NABVENTURES Ltd, a company NABARD owns outright, manages it. There is no window or deadline — it invests as it finds companies.
What you get
- An equity investment, taken as equity, compulsorily convertible preference shares or another equity-related instrument.
- The scheme says it may reinvest in companies that do well, in later rounds.
- Nothing is charged for applying.
Who can apply
- Startups recognised by DPIIT and incorporated in India. The scheme states it invests only in these.
- Work in agriculture, allied activities or the rural economy. The fund names agritech, food processing, animal husbandry, fisheries, supply chain, farm mechanisation, biotechnology, waste management, renewable energy, the agri value chain, support for farmer producer organisations, farm-level technology and climate change.
How selection works: The fund shows an indicative investment process on its page but does not publish the steps in readable form. Treat it as an equity investor's diligence.
How to apply: Write to NABVENTURES at agrisure@nabard.org. The fund has published a notice warning that people presenting themselves as its agents and asking for money are not acting for it, and that nothing is charged for seeking assistance.
Where to apply
Other NABARD programmes
- AgriSURE – Fund of Funds SchemeThe other half of AgriSURE: it commits money to SEBI-registered funds, so a founder reaches it only by raising from one of those funds.
- NABARD Alternative Investment Fund windowNABARD's standing route for committing money to agri and rural funds — the applicant is a fund manager, never a startup.
- Agri Clinic and Agri Business Centres Scheme (ACABC)A Ministry of Agriculture scheme for agriculture graduates starting a clinic or agri-business, with training, a bank loan and a credit-linked subsidy that NABARD channels.