SHITIJ is a year-long incubation program that nurtures early-stage startups with full-throttle capacity building, infrastructure, and other resources to solve the big challenges in agriculture with innovative solutions.
The program is designed to bring together innovators in an immersive 15-day mentoring program to learn, connect, and collaborate. They are further incubated in a 1-year program at Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI boosting their growth, network and resources.
Benefits
1-Year Incubation Program
15-day Business & Technical Mentoring
Access to Infrastructure & Facilities
Pilot Opportunities & Market Linkages
Industry Connect
Facilitation for Grants & Funding
Our Focus Area
Mechanization of Farming
Precision Agriculture
Supply Chain & Agriculture Logistics
Post-Harvest, Food Technology & Value addition
Waste to Wealth & Green Energy in Agriculture
Agriculture Allied Sectors
Agri Fintech
Agricultural Inputs & Biotechnology
Natural Resource Management
Agriculture Extension & Education
Program Timeline
How it Works
Phase 1
15-Day Extensive Training & Mentoring Program
The selected innovators become a part of our cohort for 15 day extensive training and mentoring with experts from various domains. The aim of this engagement is to build the capacity, expand technical & business understanding, and foster collaborations between the participating startups.
Phase 2
1-Year Incubation Program
After the training & mentoring program, the startups are incubated at Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI for a year wherein their progress is continuously assessed and supported. The incubation period can be further extended upon excellent performance during this phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phase 1: 15-day extensive training & mentoring program
Phase 2: 1-year incubation program
SHITIJrecognises early-stage ideas in the field of agriculture & allied sectors. You can apply, if you are:
- An Indian citizen
- Have an idea/ innovation/ early-stage startup in agriculture & allied sectors
The applications are evaluated on various parameters — including but not limited to — need, novelty, technical feasibility, business viability, scalability, social impact, market size, team capabilities, and projected financial growth.
After the application round, the shortlisted applicants appear for a selection committee interview. Upon selection, the applicants go for a 15-day extensive training & mentoring program followed by a 1-year incubation program.
No. You do not have to pay any fee or charges to apply for SHITIJ.
Pusa Krishi, ICAR-IARI reserves the right to disqualify any application if found engaged in any frauds, malpractices, or unethical activities.
Yes, you can apply if you have raised funding.
Due to the high volume of applications which we receive, we are unable to provide feedback to all the applicants. The selected applicants receive complete mentoring & support throughout the program.
Yes, you can save your application and complete it later. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited.