Sabour: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, is spearheading a transformation in agricultural innovation through its startup incubator, SABAGRIs. Established under the RKVY RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Revitalisation of Agriculture and Allied Sectors) scheme, the initiative is fostering agribusiness startups and empowering rural youth.
A Vision for Agricultural Change
BAU Vice-Chancellor Dr D.R. Singh hailed the initiative as a landmark step towards revolutionising the agricultural sector in eastern India. “SABAGRIs has set a new benchmark in agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship. Our aim is to provide new opportunities for employment and innovation in the agricultural sector to the youth,” he said.
Dr Anil Kumar Singh, Director of Research and Principal Investigator at SABAGRIs, highlighted the global aspirations of the initiative. “With the support of RKVY RAFTAAR, our startups are now competing internationally. SABAGRIs has promoted agricultural self-reliance by utilising local resources, bringing about a transformational change in agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship,” he said.
The incubator has gained substantial government backing, with a grant of Rs 1.49 crore allocated for the 2024-25 financial year. It also received a Gold Award from CCS-NIAM, Jaipur, in recognition of its contributions to agricultural innovation.
Boosting Startups and Training Entrepreneurs
SABAGRIs has trained 97 candidates and funded 51 startups, nurturing ideas into sustainable agribusiness ventures. Additional funding of Rs 91.4 lakh has been disbursed to promote further innovation and entrepreneurship. Training programmes launched in January 2025 are equipping participants with practical skills in agriculture-based businesses.
The initiative has generated 750 direct and 488 indirect jobs while developing over 50 products and services, benefiting more than 1.23 lakh farmers. The startups supported by SABAGRIs collectively generated Rs 43 crore in revenue during the 2023-24 fiscal year, significantly strengthening the local economy.
Advancing Bihar’s Startup Ecosystem
SABAGRIs has rapidly climbed Bihar’s startup rankings, moving from fifth place to second among 46 incubators within six months. Two of its startups, Stepupify and Sattooz, ranked first and third, respectively, in the state’s startup ecosystem.
Looking ahead, SABAGRIs aims to scale its impact by expanding financial support for startups, forging global partnerships to introduce advanced technologies in Indian agriculture, and strengthening rural economies through sustainable agri-business models.
