Top 10 Government Schemes Fueling India’s AgriTech and Rural Startup Revolution

Not too long ago, Indian agriculture was seen as slow to change—deeply traditional, often overlooked by tech. 

But today, a quiet revolution is unfolding in our fields. From drone-powered crop monitoring to AI-led soil health analysis, agritech startups are redefining what it means to grow food in India.

This shift isn’t just about passionate founders or cool tech—it’s also about the solid support system backing them. 

The Indian government has stepped up in a big way, launching targeted schemes to fund innovation, support rural entrepreneurs, and turn agriculture into a thriving startup sector.

Whether you’re building supply chain solutions or launching a rural fintech app, there’s a scheme out there designed to help you grow.

In this article, we’ve broken down 11 such initiatives that are helping agritech founders and rural startups turn bold ideas into lasting impact.

1.NABVENTURES Fund

Ministry: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Tenure: Active

NABVENTURES is a venture growth equity fund that supports startups in agriculture, food, and rural sectors with innovative, tech-driven business models.

Key Features:

• Early to mid-stage investment in asset-light, scalable startups

• Target sectors include agtech, food processing, climate-resilient agri, rural fintech, and education.

• Funding range: ₹5–20 crore
  

Benefits:

• Equity investments

• Expert mentorship and market access

• NABARD-backed credibility
  

Eligibility:
Indian startups with ₹25 lakh turnover or strong unit economics in relevant sectors.

How to Apply:
Apply via NABVENTURES website www.nabventures.in.

2. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture
Tenure: 2020–2029

AIF provides debt financing for building post-harvest infrastructure and community farming assets to boost agricultural productivity.

Key Features:

• Credit support for up to 25 projects per individual

• Projects under hub-and-spoke and community asset models

• ₹1 lakh crore total outlay
  

Benefits:

• 3% interest subvention up to ₹2 crore

• Credit guarantee for 7 years

• Encourages tech-enabled agri infrastructure
  

Eligibility:
FPOs, agri startups, and private players with viable infrastructure proposals.

How to Apply:
Apply through the agriinfra.dac.gov.in  portal.

3. ASPIRE

Ministry: Ministry of MSME
Tenure: Active

ASPIRE promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in rural industries through incubation and skill development programs.

Key Features:

• Technology and incubation centers

• Supports entrepreneurship in agri-based MSMEs

Benefits:

• Employment generation

• Access to training and mentoring
  

Eligibility:
Govt. institutions, NGOs, and private agencies with incubation/skill-building experience.

How to Apply:
Submit proposals to the Ministry of MSME via the official site.

Also Read: Common Mistakes to Avoid in Indoor Saffron Farming

4. BIPP

Ministry: BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)
Tenure: Active

The Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme funds high-risk R&D in agri-biotech and other tech-heavy sectors.

Key Features:

• Focus on deep-tech IP generation

• Public-private partnerships encouraged
  

Benefits:

• Shared R&D costs

• Companies retain IP rights

• Access to expert collaboration
  

Eligibility:
Indian-incorporated companies or LLPs (≥51% Indian-owned) in partnership with research bodies.

How to Apply:
Apply on BIRAC’s website: birac.nic.in.

5. Women Entrepreneur Cell – Central Bank of India

Ministry: Central Bank of India
Tenure: Active

This initiative empowers women entrepreneurs in MSME, agriculture, and retail through funding and support.

Key Features:

• Exclusive credit services for women

• Aligned with government priorities on women empowerment
  

Benefits:

• Financial assistance

• Expansion support

• Advisory and networking aid
  

Eligibility:   
Women-led enterprises across rural and urban India.

How to Apply:
Visit your nearest Central Bank branch for application.

Also Read:MBA Grad From Delhi Grows Button Mushrooms In Three Rooms; Clocks Rs 60 Lakh Revenue Annually

6. Digital India GENESIS

Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
Tenure: 2022–2027

GENESIS supports deep-tech startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, aiming to build inclusive digital innovation ecosystems.

Key Features:

• Equity-linked seed funding

• ₹490 crore fund allocation

• Strong focus on AI, blockchain, IoT
  

Benefits:

• Access to capital and global markets

• Digital empowerment and mentorship
  

Eligibility:
Startups, incubators, and innovation hubs based in smaller towns and cities.

How to Apply:
Apply via the Digital India website digitalindia.gov.in.

7. PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti & Agriculture
Tenure: Activ

PMKSY promotes efficient water use in agriculture through irrigation infrastructure and micro-irrigation support.

Key Features:

• "Per drop more crop" focus

• Integrated water management
  

Benefits:

• Subsidies for drip/sprinkler systems

• Infrastructure for water conservation
  

Eligibility:
Farmers, FPOs, and agri-entrepreneurs undertaking irrigation projects.

How to Apply:
Apply via the local agriculture department for subsidies.

Also Read: The Many Uses of Saffron: How Different Industries Benefit from It

8. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR

Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture
Tenure: Active

RAFTAAR supports innovation, incubation, and agribusiness startups through funding and infrastructure support.

Key Features:

• Grants-in-aid for idea-stage startups

• Business incubation centres across India
  

Benefits:

• Up to ₹25 lakh per startup

• Capacity building and mentoring
  

Eligibility:
Agri-based startups with innovative business plans.

How to Apply:
Apply through RKVY-RAFTAAR incubators or rkvy.nic.in.

9. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture
Tenure: Active

PKVY promotes organic farming and certification under cluster-based approaches to reduce chemical input usage.

Key Features:

• Focused on traditional, organic farming

• Participatory guarantee system for certification
  

Benefits:

• ₹50,000 per hectare over 3 years

• Market linkage and training
  

Eligibility:
Farmer groups, FPOs, and cooperatives practicing organic agriculture.

How to Apply:
Submit a proposal through the local agriculture department.

10. National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)

Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & NBB
Tenure: 2020–2030

NBHM aims to promote scientific beekeeping for income generation, pollination, and biodiversity.

Key Features:

• Capacity building for beekeepers

• Infrastructure for honey collection and storage
  

Benefits:

• Financial aid for bee boxes and training

• Quality assurance for honey products
  

Eligibility:
Farmers, SHGs, and FPOs engaged in or interested in beekeeping.

How to Apply
Apply via the State Horticulture Department for support.

From irrigation and biotech to rural fintech and women entrepreneurship, these 11 government schemes offer a diverse and powerful toolkit for rural and agritech entrepreneurs. 

Tapping into these resources can help unlock scalable, tech-driven solutions for India’s villages and fields—building a more inclusive, self-reliant economy.

Also Read: Wayanad-Based Engineer Quits Decade-Long Career to Start Kerala’s First Indoor Saffron Farm; Builds a Lucrative Business