Pusa Krishi Incubation Program 2026 (UPJA)

Pusa Krishi Incubation Program 2026 (UPJA) is designed for early-stage agri-startups in India that already have an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or a market-ready innovation and are looking for technical validation, pilot opportunities, mentoring, and grant support to scale further. The program specifically targets startups working across agriculture and allied sectors that need institutional backing to move from prototype validation to commercial deployment.

Run by Pusa Krishi at ICAR-IARI, the program focuses on helping founders strengthen both the technical and commercial side of their business. Selected startups receive incubation support, business mentoring, industry guidance, field trial opportunities, and market linkages. The program also emphasizes product feasibility, scalability, IP checks, and go-to-market readiness through structured mentoring and validation processes.

UPJA 2026 includes a multi-phase incubation and training journey where startups interact with technical experts, business leaders, and a broader agriculture innovation ecosystem. The program supports startups working in areas such as precision agriculture, agri-fintech, food technology, farm mechanization, agricultural biotechnology, logistics, waste-to-wealth solutions, and natural resource management.

The incubation structure includes a 1-month incubation and mentoring phase followed by additional training and commercialization support. Selected startups may receive grant-in-aid support of up to ₹25 lakh along with pilot opportunities and investor or market connections.

From a founder’s perspective, this program is particularly relevant for Indian agri-startups that already have a working prototype and now need validation, pilot access, and ecosystem support before scaling commercially. It is especially useful for founders solving practical agriculture problems where field testing, institutional credibility, and market linkage support can significantly accelerate adoption.

Offerings / Benefits:

• Grant-in-aid support up to ₹25 lakh
• Technology validation and backstopping
• Business mentoring from industry leaders
• Pilot opportunities and field trials
• Access to infrastructure
• Market linkages and investor connections
• Go-to-market support
• Technical mentoring and coaching
• Incubation and training programs

Sectors Supported:

• Farm Mechanization
• Precision Agriculture
• Supply Chain & Agriculture Logistics
• Post-Harvest & Food Technology
• Value Addition
• Waste to Wealth
• Green Energy
• Agriculture Allied Sectors
• Agri Fintech
• Agricultural Inputs & Biotechnology
• Natural Resource Management
• Agriculture Extension & Education