Scheme Overview & Objective
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY‑RAFTAAR) Seed Stage Funding is the flagship agri‑entrepreneurship programme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It delivers a non‑dilutive seed‑stage grant of up to ₹25 Lakh (covering 85% of the total project cost) to innovative agritech and food‑processing ventures that have a minimum viable product (MVP) and early field traction. The grant is complemented by a two‑month intensive agribusiness residency at one of the 29 designated R‑ABIs (RKVY‑RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators) located at premier institutions such as ICAR‑IARI (Pusa), MANAGE Hyderabad, CCS HAU, and various IITs.
The primary objective is to accelerate the commercialisation of technologies that address precision farming, AI/IoT‑enabled agriculture, post‑harvest loss reduction, farm mechanisation, climate‑resilient inputs, bio‑fertilisers, and direct‑to‑consumer farm supply chains. By providing capital, mentorship, laboratory access, and market linkages, the scheme aims to create a pipeline of globally competitive agri‑startups that can boost farmer incomes and strengthen India’s food security.
Eligibility Criteria & Scope
Only startups that satisfy the following conditions are eligible for the seed‑stage grant. Each criterion is drawn directly from the official scheme documentation; no additional rules have been introduced.
- Legal Structure: The entity must be a DPIIT‑recognised startup incorporated in India as a Private Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) and must be less than five years old.
- Product Readiness: The startup should have a functional prototype or MVP that operates within the agriculture or allied sectors.
- Incubation Commitment: Applicants must either have completed or be willing to undergo the mandatory two‑month agribusiness training programme at a designated R‑ABI.
- Founder Contribution: Founders must commit to a 15% matching contribution (in cash or in‑kind) toward the total project expenditure.
- No Overlapping Funding: The startup must not be receiving concurrent funding for the same milestone from any other central ministry.
- Priority Candidates: Preference is given to ventures led by rural youth, agricultural graduates, and women entrepreneurs.
Required Documents Checklist
To successfully apply for the RKVY-RAFTAAR Seed Stage Grant, founders must prepare and submit the following verified documentation:
- DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate
- Certificate of Incorporation (Company or LLP) and PAN Card
- Detailed Business Plan including financial projections for 3 years
- MVP Demonstration Video or Technical Specification Sheet
- Bank Account Details and Cancelled Cheque
- Audited Financial Statements (if operational for more than a year)
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted directly through the official RKVY-RAFTAAR portal or by contacting any of the designated R-ABIs across India.
