Varsity incubation centre offers grant for agri business

The Agri Business Incubation Centre (ABIC) at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) is offering grants ranging from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for setting up businesses in the agriculture sector. The initiative, funded by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, invites applications online through the HAU website www.hau.ac.in, with a deadline of September 10.

VC BR Kamboj said the opportunity was meant for unemployed students, farmers, women, and budding entrepreneurs, who want to take their business ideas to the next level. “The ABIC offers specialised training in marketing, networking, licensing, trademark, patents, technology, and funding to give a new dimension to startups,” he said.

Three major programmes are on offer—Student Orientation Programme, Pahal and Safal-2025—each with different grant provisions. The grants range from Rs 4-25 lakh. In the last six years, 73 startups have received nearly Rs 9 crore funding from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry.

Kamboj emphasised that this is a golden opportunity for youth to start their own businesses in the agriculture sector, making transition from job seekers to job creators. With training and financial support, participants can explore a variety of business opportunities, including processing, value addition and packaging.

The VC said entrepreneurs who have been a part of the ABIC have successfully scaled their businesses to crore-level turnovers while also generating employment for others.