ICAR-CIRCOT Successfully Completes One-Month KSHITIJ Incubation Programme for Agri Startups

ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, organised the valedictory session of the National Incubation Programme “KSHITIJ” (2025–26) theme New Horizon in Farm Mechanisation and Post-Harvest Technology at the Video Conference Hall in hybrid mode. The KSHITIJ Incubation Programme was conducted from 17 February to 17 March 2026 in a hub-and-spoke mode with ICAR-CIRCOT as the hub and ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal; ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata; ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur; ICAR-CCARI, Goa; and ICAR-IIFSR, Meerut as spoke institutes. A total of 118 applications were received, of which 88 were accepted, 45 were shortlisted and 23 startups were finally selected. The programme was implemented by Dr. Ashok Kumar Bharimalla (Principal Scientist) along with team.

The valedictory session commenced with Vande Mataram followed by the ICAR song and a welcome address by Dr. S. K. Shukla, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT. This was followed by feedback from startups, who appreciated the hands-on training, one-to-one mentoring and technical validation support received during the programme. They also highlighted the need for longer incubation duration, stronger financial linkages and continued mentoring support. Representatives from spoke institutes and the Programme Evaluation Committee shared their observations and appreciated the quality and commitment of participating startups.

During the programme period, participants underwent 9 external and 5 internal expert sessions, along with mentoring and review meetings covering areas such as innovation management, IPR, legal aspects, funding, digital marketing, farm mechanisation and post-harvest technologies. In the valedictory session, Dr. Neeru Bhooshan, ADG (IPTM), ICAR, emphasised the importance of competitive advantage, field validation and regulatory compliance. The programme was appreciated by all stakeholders and ICAR-CIRCOT will continue to support startups through technical linkages and issue completion certificates, with plans to extend the programme duration in future.