RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme

The RKVY-RAFTAAR (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation) is a significant initiative from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India. Its core mission is to foster innovation-driven expansion across the agricultural and allied sectors.

SIIC IIT Kanpur, operating through its Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), acts as the Knowledge Partner for this scheme. Their role involves identifying, incubating, and scaling high-impact agritech startups that demonstrate potential for significant growth and contribution.

This program is structured to support early and seed-stage agritech ventures by providing comprehensive incubation, financial assistance tied to specific milestones, expert mentorship, and access to advanced institutional infrastructure. It aims to nurture up to 40 startups annually, integrating them into an ecosystem that includes access to IIT Kanpur's state-of-the-art laboratories, domain experts, technical validation facilities, and crucial market linkages.

• Grants of up to ₹25 lakhs for agritech startups.
• Specifically targets Indian private limited Pre-Seed and Seed-stage agritech ventures.
• Comprehensive incubation, mentorship, and access to IIT Kanpur resources.
• Stipend of ₹10,000 per month for physical attendees of the Agripreneurship Orientation Program.
• Focus on market access and deployment through strategic partnerships.
• Application deadline is March 20, 2026.

This program is designed for Indian private limited startups that are actively engaged in the agritech sector. While the scheme supports ventures at various stages, the financial assistance is specifically tailored for Pre-Seed and Seed-stage startups seeking RKVY-RAFTAAR funding. Applicants should be focused on innovation within agriculture and allied sectors.

RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme closed on 20 Mar 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme provides substantial support to selected ventures:

• Financial Assistance: Startups can receive milestone-based funding. Pre-Seed startups are eligible for up to ₹5 lakhs, while Seed-stage startups can secure up to ₹25 lakhs. This funding is linked to achieving specific technology development, validation, and commercialization goals.

• Agripreneurship Orientation Program: Shortlisted startups participate in an intensive one-month Agripreneurship Orientation Program. This program is designed to enhance their entrepreneurial skills, technological understanding, and grasp of the agricultural ecosystem. Startups who physically attend this orientation are also eligible for a monthly stipend of ₹10,000.

• Incubation and Mentorship: The scheme offers structured incubation, providing a supportive environment for growth, coupled with expert mentorship to guide startups through their development journey.

• Access to Infrastructure and Expertise: Recipients gain access to IIT Kanpur's advanced laboratories, a network of domain experts, and facilities for technical validation.

• Market Access and Scale Enablement: The program actively supports startups in piloting and deploying their solutions. This is achieved through strategic partnerships with Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), various industry stakeholders, and direct engagement with farming communities.

• Investor Connections: The initiative also facilitates valuable connections with investors and explores opportunities for follow-on funding, aiding long-term sustainability and growth.

RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme is offered by SIIC IIT Kanpur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by SIIC IIT Kanpur as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

RKVY-RAFTAAR Agritech Startup Scheme is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L – ₹25L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.