Title: Fostering innovations in agriculture: an analysis of agri-startups and stakeholders' engagement

Authors: Saravanan Raj; Sandipamu Raahalya; Anupam Anand

Addresses: National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500030, India ' National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500030, India ' Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, 125004, India

Abstract: This study explores the potential of agri-startups to address critical challenges in the agriculture sector, focusing on their ability to thrive in countries with untapped problems. A conceptual framework is proposed to understand stakeholder roles and interactions in the agri-startup ecosystem. The research methodology involved data collection from 108 agri-startups incubated at MANAGE-Center for Innovations and Agripreneurship (CIA). An exploratory factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) identified five factors based on 15 variables. The stakeholder engagement index revealed effective engagement with potential customers (farmers), scoring 0.79, while NGOs scored the lowest at 0.64. Recommendations to strengthen the ecosystem include fostering support, encouraging mentorship, promoting market access, and enhancing digital literacy. The study contributes to understanding the dynamics of the agri-startup ecosystem and provides insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to foster innovation and sustainable growth in the agriculture sector.

Keywords: agri-startups; stakeholder; principal component analysis; PCA; ecosystem; policymakers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2024.147890

International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, 2024 Vol.4 No.4, pp.301 - 333

Received: 22 Jul 2024
Accepted: 18 Nov 2024
Published online: 07 Aug 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article