AgriSURE, the Agri Fund for Start-ups and Rural Enterprises was launched by Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 3 September 2024, alongside the KrishiNivesh investment portal. It was introduced because many early-stage agritech and agri-allied startups in India were struggling to scale due to limited access to equity and debt financing. AgriSURE addresses this gap by channelling government and institutional capital into high-risk, high-impact ventures across the agricultural value chain, giving young entrepreneurs and rural innovators a structured route to funding that wasn't easily available before.
AgriSURE Scheme Overview
- Scheme Name – AgriSURE (Agri Fund for Start-ups and Rural Enterprises)
- Scheme Launch Date – 3 September 2024, approved by the Union Cabinet as part of seven agriculture-sector schemes worth nearly ₹14,000 crore
- Scheme Fund Allocated – Total corpus of ₹750 crore: ₹250 crore from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, ₹250 crore from NABARD, and ₹250 crore mobilised from banks, insurance companies, and private investors
- Type of Scheme – Central Government initiative, structured as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), managed by NABVENTURES Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of NABARD)
- Helpline No – Queries can be directed through the NABARD/NABVENTURES website; general agriculture queries can also go through the Kisan Call Centre, 1800-180-1551
- States Covered – All-India
Objectives of the Scheme
- Provide liquidity to agriculture and agritech startups unable to scale due to limited access to equity and debt financing
- Encourage young entrepreneurs to take on high-risk, high-impact activities in agriculture and agri-technology
- Strengthen forward and backward linkages in the agricultural produce value chain
- Bring new entrepreneurs into the agribusiness sector, including support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Promote innovation and sustainability across the agriculture and rural enterprise ecosystem
Key Features of AgriSURE
- Structured as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with a 10-year fund duration, extendable by two years
- Invests through three routes: Sector-Specific AIFs, Sector-Agnostic AIFs, Debt AIFs, and Direct Equity Investment in startups
- Maximum investment of up to ₹25 crore in a single startup, subject to AIF Regulations
- For investment into another AIF, the fund can invest up to 5% of that AIF's corpus or ₹25 crore, whichever is lower
- Investment instruments include equity, compulsorily convertible preference shares, or other equity-related instruments
- Can reinvest in successful portfolio companies during subsequent funding rounds
- Aims to support around 85 startups across agriculture and allied sectors
- Covers sectors such as agritech, food processing, animal husbandry, fisheries, renewable energy, waste management, and farm mechanisation
AgriSURE Scheme Eligibility
- Startup must be recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under Startup India
- Must be incorporated in India; Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies are generally not the intended focus of such agri-startup support
- Should be an early-stage startup working in agriculture or allied sectors, including AgriTech, food processing, fisheries, renewable energy, waste management, and farm mechanisation
- Must demonstrate a scalable business model with measurable social and economic impact
- Priority is given to ventures supporting Farmer Producer Organisations and value-chain linkages in agriculture
Benefits to Agri Startups
- Access to significant funding of up to ₹25 crore per startup, far beyond what most early-stage grant schemes offer
- Both equity and debt capital options, giving founders flexibility based on their business stage and needs
- Backing from NABARD's institutional credibility and sector expertise through NABVENTURES
- Potential for follow-on investment in later funding rounds for successful portfolio companies
- Opens doors to co-investment from banks, insurance companies, and private investors mobilised into the fund
- Strengthens the broader agri-startup ecosystem through associated initiatives like the AgriSURE Greenathon
Limitations of the Scheme
- Only DPIIT-recognised startups incorporated in India can apply — informal or unregistered ventures are not eligible
- With funding aimed at around 85 startups from a ₹750 crore corpus, competition for selection is high
- Investment is capped at ₹25 crore per startup, which may not suit startups needing significantly larger capital infusions
- As an AIF-based structure, selection also depends on standard investment due diligence, not just eligibility on paper
- The scheme currently favours early-stage, high-impact ventures, so more mature or low-growth-potential businesses may not fit the mandate
Documents Required
- DPIIT Startup India recognition certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation (Private Limited Company, LLP, or Producer Company)
- Detailed business plan or pitch deck covering the business model, scalability, and impact
- Financial statements and projections
- PAN and GST registration details
- Bank account details of the incorporated entity
How to Apply for AgriSURE
- Ensure your startup is registered under Startup India and holds valid DPIIT recognition.
- Prepare a detailed pitch covering your business model, target sector, scalability, and expected social/economic impact.
- Visit the NABVENTURES Ltd. or NABARD website to review the application process and current investment windows.
- Submit your pitch along with incorporation documents, financials, and supporting materials as specified.
- Your application will be evaluated on impact, scalability, and sector relevance by the fund's investment committee.
- If shortlisted, the startup goes through standard investment due diligence before funding is finalised.
Conclusion
AgriSURE represents a meaningful shift in how India funds agricultural innovation — moving beyond small grants toward serious equity and debt capital for startups willing to take on high-impact, high-risk ideas in the farm sector. With NABARD's institutional backing through NABVENTURES and a ₹750 crore corpus behind it, the scheme gives DPIIT-recognised agri startups a genuine shot at scaling their solutions across food processing, agritech, renewable energy, and beyond.
[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Scheme details, interest rates, and subvention amounts are subject to periodic revision by the Government of India, RBI, and NABARD. Farmers are advised to verify the latest terms and eligibility criteria with their bank, NABARD, or official government sources before applying.]
