Jorhat: The North East Agriculture Technology Entrepreneurs Hub (NEATEHUB), the Atal Incubation Centre of Assam Agricultural University (AAU), on Wednesday distributed grant-in-aid worth Rs 1.2 crore to 18 agri-startups selected under the Centre’s RKVY-RAFTAAR programme.
The financial assistance was handed over during a cheque distribution ceremony held at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Dr Dipjyoti Rajkhowa, Director of Students’ Welfare Dr Binoy Kumar Medhi, Associate Director of Research Dr Mrinal Saikia, former Director of Research Dr G N Hazarika, NEATEHUB directors Dr Danish Tamuly and Dr Luna Dutta Baruah, Chief Operating Officer Partha Borthakur, and other officials.
The grants were provided under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana–Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, with NEATEHUB serving as a Knowledge Partner.
The funding was disbursed across three categories of startups. Under the Navyam category, student-led startups received grants of up to Rs 4 lakh. Early-stage startups under the Isanya category received up to Rs 5 lakh, while growth-stage ventures under the Saranya category were eligible for grants of up to Rs 25 lakh.
The 18 startups selected for funding are Nutrixeric LLP, Dieticare Tribal Essence Pvt Ltd, ENW Lifestyle Pvt Ltd, Chayi Trails Private Limited, AXOM Farm Machinery Pvt Ltd, Nature Axis Pvt Ltd, Abhamanu VanBiotech Pvt Ltd, DBIPS Technology Solutions Pvt Ltd, GABA Tea Private Limited, Primrose Bio2x Lab, Ecoes, AYURQUENCH (OPC) Private Limited, DoNa Fermentary, Innovation, Med-Salt, Shrooms, Amberflow and Eco360 Solutions.
Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries congratulated the entrepreneurs and encouraged them to develop sustainable and scalable businesses that strengthen the agriculture and allied sectors in the Northeast.
Vice-Chancellor Dr Dipjyoti Rajkhowa said startups have become essential for driving innovation and economic growth in agriculture.
“Startups are the need of the hour. The University and NEATEHUB will always work for the betterment of our young entrepreneurs, and we are proud to stand behind each of you. The region needs many more innovators like you—you are not just building businesses, you are shaping the future of agriculture in the North East,” he said.
NEATEHUB said the funding initiative reflects its continued commitment to supporting agri-entrepreneurs across the region through financial assistance, mentorship, technical guidance and market linkages.
Established in 2018 as a Section 8 company under the aegis of Assam Agricultural University, NEATEHUB functions as an Atal Incubation Centre under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and also serves as a Knowledge Partner under the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The incubator supports agri-startups across the Northeast through seed funding, business mentoring, technical expertise and market access.
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