Agro-tech startup founder honoured

Ishfaq Ahmad Wani, the founder of Agro-Tech Plant, a Punjab Agri Business Incubator (PABI) startup incubated at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has won the prestigious Honey Bee Network Creativity and Inclusive Innovation Award 2024. Ishfaq’s innovation, ‘The Clipper’ (fruit tree safety holder), secured him a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, presented by the Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN) in collaboration with Amazon India.

The award ceremony celebrated grassroots-level innovations and was held in partnership with esteemed organisations such as T-Works, Mahindra University’s School of Design Innovation, and IDC IIT-Bombay. Ishfaq’s invention, aimed at improving safety and efficiency in fruit harvesting, was recognised for its inclusive approach and potential to transform the agriculture sector.

Dr SS Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, expressed his elation at Wani’s achievement. He said, “This achievement highlights the innovative spirit of our students and startups. It is a proud moment for the PAU fraternity to see our entrepreneurs making strides on national platforms.”