Bhagalpur: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Bhagalpur, has received national recognition for its work in promoting agriculture-based startups. In a review meeting held at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, the university presented its achievements under the RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubator (R-ABI) programme. Officials said the model being run at BAU Bhagalpur has become a strong example of how research and innovation can directly benefit farmers and rural youth.
The meeting was chaired by Arindam Modak, Advisor (RKVY), in the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Senior officials, including Manoj Kumar and Virendra Sharma, Directors (RKVY), and other experts, attended the session. Dr A.K. Singh, Director of Research at BAU Sabour, shared that the incubation centre has trained 133 startups in the last five years, of which 71 have received grants. These efforts have supported farmers in increasing their income, created new jobs in villages, and encouraged rural innovation.
Some of the startups associated with BAU, such as OCB Cakes, GOATWAY Technologies, Patnakart Agro Farms, Mercredi Solutions, Savitri Renewable Energy and Technoground, presented their success stories at the meeting. Their examples showed how agriculture-based businesses, with proper training and funding, can grow into profitable ventures. Officials at the meeting noted that the model at BAU could also be adopted by other states to strengthen their agri-business sector.
Two new publications were also released on this occasion – SABAGRI’s Innovations: A Detailed Product Portfolio and A Chronicle of Successful Startups from SABAGRIs, BAU Sabour. Speaking at the event, Dr D.R. Singh, Vice Chancellor of BAU Sabour, said the university has now become a national hub for agricultural startups. “Through SABAGRI, we are not only supporting innovation but also giving rural youth and farmers new opportunities to become entrepreneurs,” he said. “The success of our startups shows that Bihar is making its mark in the agri-business sector of India.”
