Brief. About NITI , NSDC,DST, AP supporting Agritech

 Brief. About NITI , NSDC,DST, AP supporting Agritech

NITI Aayog's Atal I

 (AIM) actively supports innovation hubs by promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, establishing pre-incubation ecosystems, and creating platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing. AIM establishes various innovation hubs, including Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs) and Frontier Technology Labs (FTLs), to foster innovation at different levels, from grassroots to advanced technological applications. 

Elaboration:

State Support Mission (SSM):

NITI Aayog's SSM also supports state-level innovation by providing a platform for states to collaborate and share knowledge, and by facilitating sector-specific interventions. 

India Innovation Index:

NSDC

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) supports innovation hubs by providing funding, technical assistance, and knowledge management to enterprises and organizations. NSDC's Innovation & Engagement practice specifically focuses on supporting high-impact solutions that can enhance the skilling ecosystem and address unmet needs. They also work with stakeholders to strengthen the skills ecosystem. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Funding Support:

NSDC offers concessional loans (soft loans) to Training Partners, covering a significant portion of project investment, enabling them to build capacity. 

Technical Assistance: 

Knowledge Management:

Innovation Focus:

Stakeholder Engagement:

DST

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) supports innovation hubs through various initiatives, including NIDHI-PRAYAS and NIDHI Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE). These programs provide funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and industry connections to help innovators translate ideas into prototypes and startups. The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) umbrella program also includes training programs in innovation and entrepreneurship. :

1. NIDHI-PRAYAS:

Funding:

Provides financial support (up to INR 10 lakhs) to young innovators for early-stage prototype development.

Mentorship and Guidance:

Access to Infrastructure:

Provides access to facilities at Technology Business Incubators (TBIs).

Industry Connections:. 

2. NIDHI-CoE:. 

3. NIDHI Training Programs:

Capacity Building:

4. Other DST Initiatives:

Bio-Medical Device and Technology Development (BDTD) Program:

Supports the development of dental technologies, including the Dental Technology Innovation Hub (DTIH). 

DST – Lockheed Martin India IIGP 2.0:

In essence, DST plays a crucial role in fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem by providing funding, infrastructure, mentorship, and industry connections to support innovation hubs and young innovators across various sectors. 

AP supporting Agritech 

The Andhra Pradesh government is supporting agritech innovation through its Innovation & Startup Policy (4.0) and the establishment of the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) in Amaravati. The RTIH will be the central hub, supported by five regional centers, and aims to drive innovation and support startups, including those in agritech, throughout their lifecycle. The policy also designates 15 key departments, including the agriculture department, to allocate budgets for supporting startups through innovation challenges, hackathons, and proof-of-concept projects. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Central Hub & Regional Centers:

The RTIH in Amaravati will be the central innovation hub, with five regional centers in Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Vizag, Tirupati, and Anantapur supporting it. 

Funding & Support:

The state government will provide seed capital and future funding to the RTIH and regional centers, with the goal of fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem. 

Agri-tech Focus:

The policy aims to support agritech startups by providing them with access to resources, mentorship, and funding. 

Collaboration & Innovation:

The government is seeking collaboration with central government schemes like Vignan Dhara and the National Quantum Mission to further enhance innovation in the state. 

Start-up Initiatives:

The state is also focusing on creating 20,000 new startups and at least one lakh employment within the next five years. 

Online Incentive Portal:

Centralized Support:

The RTIH will facilitate applications for incentives and provide support to startups, fostering a streamlined and efficient process.