NOIDA, 27 February 2026: Foundation for Innovation and Research in Science and Technology (FIRST), the innovation arm of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, has been formally designated as the Knowledge Partner for the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
The announcement was made during a launch and stakeholder engagement event held at the IIT Kanpur Noida Outreach Centre. The programme was presided over by Agriculture Secretary Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, who attended as Chief Guest.
MoU to Strengthen Agritech Ecosystem
Dr. Ashutosh Agnihotri, CEO, FIRST IIT Kanpur, delivered the welcome address and formally announced the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The vision and framework of RKVY-RAFTAAR were presented by Ms. Surbhi Awasthi, General Manager, FIRST IIT Kanpur.
As Knowledge Partner, FIRST IIT Kanpur, through its Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), will drive structured agri-startup incubation, mentorship, funding linkages and strategic coordination with RKVY Agri-Business Incubators (RABIs) across India.
The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation in precision farming, agri-biotechnology, post-harvest technology and allied agricultural sectors, building a strong pipeline of scalable agritech solutions.
Leadership Voices Back Agritech Push
Addressing the gathering, Shri Devesh Chaturvedi says FIRST IIT Kanpur brings world-class academic rigour and a proven innovation ecosystem to RKVY-RAFTAAR, adding that the partnership will significantly accelerate agritech entrepreneurship and create lasting impact for India’s farming communities.
Shri K. Vijayendra Pandian, IAS, Commissioner Kanpur and Vice Chancellor of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, emphasises the importance of stronger university–startup linkages in strengthening agricultural innovation.
Shri Pankaj Kumar, Chief General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) Regional Office Lucknow, reiterates NABARD’s commitment to financing agritech innovation and supporting startups emerging from the RKVY-RAFTAAR ecosystem.
Dr. Agnihotri highlights that IIT Kanpur’s two decades of deep-tech incubation experience will now be channelled toward transforming India’s agritech sector.
Agri-Startup Showcase Highlights Innovation
A key highlight of the event is the Agri-Startup Showcase, featuring ventures such as ScaNxt, Fruvetech, Regenerix F2DF – Kisan ki Online Dukaan, and OpenSpectrum AI. The startups present solutions spanning precision agriculture, post-harvest technologies and rural supply chain optimisation.
The presentations draw strong engagement from policymakers and stakeholders, reflecting the growing strength of agritech innovation emerging from academic institutions.
The event concludes with a vote of thanks by Mr. Piyush Mishra, COO, FIRST IIT Kanpur, followed by an open house interaction and networking session aimed at fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
With this MoU, FIRST IIT Kanpur is set to play a central role in strengthening India’s agritech startup ecosystem under the RKVY-RAFTAAR framework.
