Start-Ups of ABI, SKUAST-J: Pioneering Viksit Bharat through Innovative Agri-entrepreneurship

Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, Dr. Anil Bhat, Tarunjeet Singh

Innovative start-ups developed by Agri-Business Incubation Centre, SKUAST-Jammu under the visionary leadership and guidance of Prof. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J have brought laurels to the University by making a tremendous impact on the national agri-business ecosystem. These budding agri-entrepreneurs are making their presence felt at national and global platforms through their innovative and creative product offerings. Prominent among these include Mr. Nikky Kumar Jha, founder of Saptkrishi Scientific Pvt. Ltd. who has developed a wheel-mountable, microclimate-controlled storage named Sabjikothi that can be utilized for the storage of horticultural produce extending their shelf life from 5-30 days depending upon the particular crop. It is a low cost technology that doesn’t use any chemicals, operates on very little power and requires only 2-3 litres of water in a week. It has proved to be a boon for small vegetable & fruit vendors/hawkers who didn’t have any viable option to store their left-overs. The start-up achieved national level recognition by getting featured in the popular investment reality show, ‘Shark Tank India’. The best moment for the start-up came when he got to present his innovation to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narendra Modi during his visit to Jammu who appreciated his innovation and also posted a picture of this interaction on his official twitter account. The start-up was successful in earning healthy revenue of around Rs. 1 crore in the F.Y 2023-24. Marsco Nutraceuticals Pvt. Ltd., founded by Mr. Mahidhar Bolem, has developed nanotechnology-based disinfectants, supplements, and medicines for aquaculture, significantly improving fish health and farm yields. These products, made from probiotic formulations and micro-encapsulated with additives and prebiotics, ensure no side effects to aquaculture animals. The start-up also provides consultancy services to fish farmers, helping them manage their farms and solve problems. Operating across eight states and serving nearly 10,000 farmers, Marsco Nutraceuticals earned close to Rs. 4 crore in revenue during FY 2023-24. Mr. Bolem was part of the prestigious Indian ASSOCHAM delegation at the Gulfood-2024 conclave in Dubai. Yet another start-up making his presence felt on the national scene is Urbanhills Food Processing Pvt. Ltd. founded by Mr. Dharun Sharma who has developed healthy fruit snacks free from any colors or chemical preservatives by dehydrating fruits utilizing state of art dehydration technology to preserve the nutritional value and flavor of each fruit and thereafter packing its slices in ready to consume high quality food grade packaging. All this is done in a modern sophisticated factory set up near Katra that is equipped with latest machinery & best food-processing practices. The raw materials are carefully sourced from local, trusted farmers who employ sustainable farming methods. These dehydrated fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber and thus, offer a healthier snacking option to the consumers.
The start-up has introduced his products on leading e-commerce platforms and has also started exporting them to gulf countries. Women agri-entrepreneurs of ABI, SKUAST-J are also not far behind their male counterparts. Divya Vishambra, founder of Nature’s Urja Pvt. Ltd. has recently secured a patent from the Govt. of India for her innovative herbal Red Rice Solid Tea Composition.All these start-ups have attributed their successful agri-entrepreneurship journey to the meticulous incubation provided by Agri-Business Incubation Centre, SKUAST-Jammu under the watchful mentorship of Prof. Jyoti Kachroo, P.I/CEO, ABI, SKUAST-J. The incubation consisted of uniquely designed training and funding programs for early stage/budding agri-entrepreneurs. The start-ups were trained by academicians, industry leaders, technical trainers and successful start-ups of national repute on all matters related to setting up & sustainably running an agri-business venture.
Pre-seed & Seed stage funding was also facilitated by ABI, SKUAST-J in favor of these start-ups through Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, GoI so as to give them a kick start towards their entrepreneurial journey. It is pertinent to mention here that ABI, SKUAST-J has successfully incubated 78 potential agri-entrepreneurs in 7 batches since coming into existence in 2019. Out of these, 26 incubatees of 6 batches have been successful in securing a healthy grant-in-aid to the tune of Rs. 2.88 crores in total from the MoA & FW, GoI. The online application portal for admission to 8th batch is also open currently open which can be accessed from the University website www.skuast.org/RKVY-RAFTAAR.php.