Deadline: September 15, 2025
SHITIJ is a year-long incubation program that nurtures early-stage startups with full-throttle capacity building, infrastructure, and other resources to solve the big challenges in agriculture with innovative solutions.
The program focuses on Mechanization of Farming, Precision Agriculture, Supply Chain & Agriculture Logistics, Post-Harvest, Food Technology & Value addition, Waste to Wealth & Green Energy in Agriculture, Agriculture Allied Sectors, Agri Fintech, Agricultural Inputs & Biotechnology, Natural Resource Management, and Agriculture Extension & Education.
The program is designed to bring together innovators in an immersive 15-day mentoring program to learn, connect, and collaborate. Participants are further incubated in a 1-year program at Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI boosting their growth, network and resources.
The program offers comprehensive benefits including a 1-year incubation program, 15-day business and technical mentoring, access to infrastructure and facilities, pilot opportunities and market linkages, industry connect, and facilitation for grants and funding.
SHITIJ operates as a two-phase program. Phase 1 consists of a 15-day extensive training and mentoring program where selected innovators become part of a cohort for intensive training and mentoring with experts from various domains. The aim of this engagement is to build capacity, expand technical and business understanding, and foster collaborations between participating startups.
Phase 2 involves a 1-year incubation program where startups are incubated at Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI. During this period, their progress is continuously assessed and supported. The incubation period can be further extended upon excellent performance during this phase.
SHITIJ recognizes early-stage ideas in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. Applicants must be Indian citizens with an idea, innovation, or early-stage startup in agriculture and allied sectors. Previously funded startups are also eligible to apply.
Applications are evaluated on various parameters including need, novelty, technical feasibility, business viability, scalability, social impact, market size, team capabilities, and projected financial growth. After the application round, shortlisted applicants appear for a selection committee interview.
Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI reserves the right to disqualify any application if found engaged in any frauds, malpractices, or unethical activities. Only one application per entity is permitted, and feedback on applications is not provided due to high volume.
For more information, visit Pusa Krishi.
