MANAGE Samunnati Agri-startup Awards 2022 Celebrated Agri Startups Serving the Farming Community

The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), in association with Samunnati presented the MANAGE-Samunnati Agri-Startup Awards to recognize impact-driven Agri and Agri-Tech start-ups dedicated to rebuilding the agriculture development ecosystem and supporting farmers through technological innovations. In the first edition in 2021, a total of 20 Awards at the five regional (17) and national (03) were given and a total cash prize of ₹ 17.75 lakh for the startups was awarded by Samunnati.

In the 2022 edition, applications from the Agri startups across India and nominations of startups from National level Agricultural institutions and Agribusiness Incubators were invited through a completely online process.

A total of 252 applications were received from aspiring startups across India. Twenty-one eminent professionals in agriculture and allied sectors evaluated the applications objectively and independently. The major focus of the evaluation was on impact creation, farmer connect, and gravity of the problems addressed by the startup along with progress made.

A total of 32 awards, comprising 3 awards at the National level, 27 at the State level, and 2 women entrepreneurs were awarded and selected startups were invited to the award ceremony held on Sep 14, 2022, at MANAGE. Shobha Karandlaje, Honourable Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and presented the awards to the winners recognizing their contributions to improving the Agri ecosystem.

These startups will be supported by MANAGE and Samunnati beyond awards and recognition. An investment meet is planned for the startups where the startups will be given an opportunity to present their business model for funding with venture capital, angel networks, and debt funding institutions.

MANAGE will also be extending support by connecting the startups with other Agri startups in the ecosystem, AC & ABC Agripreneurs, and Farmers through FPOs for backward linkages and with Agribusiness firms for the forward linkages. Samunnati with its initiative “Samaarambh”, is nurturing over 100 agri-focused startups striving to address chronic challenges of the Agri value chain for the past two years across India.  

MANAGE- Samunnati Agri-Startup Awards creates a platform and provide a great opportunity for the startups in the coming years and establishes a benchmark for the startups in the agricultural ecosystem.