RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme

RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India, aimed at accelerating innovation-led growth in agriculture and allied sectors. Under this call, Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), IIT Kanpur, through its Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), serves as the Knowledge Partner to identify, incubate, and scale high-impact agritech startups.

The scheme is designed to nurture early and seed-stage agritech ventures through structured incubation, milestone-based financial assistance, mentorship, and access to institutional infrastructure. The program supports up to 40 startups annually, providing them with an integrated ecosystem that includes access to IIT Kanpur’s laboratories, domain experts, technical validation facilities, and market linkages.

Financial assistance is provided in two stages. Pre-Seed startups are eligible for funding of up to INR 5 lakhs, while Seed-stage startups can receive up to INR 25 lakhs. Funding is milestone-driven and aligned with technology development, validation, and commercialization goals. In addition, shortlisted startups participate in a one-month Agripreneurship Orientation Program designed to strengthen entrepreneurial, technological, and ecosystem understanding. Startups physically attending this orientation are eligible for a stipend of INR 10,000 per month.

Beyond capital, the program emphasizes market access and scale enablement. Startups receive support in piloting and deploying solutions through partnerships with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), industry stakeholders, and farming communities. The initiative also facilitates investor connections and follow-on funding opportunities.