The Climate Smart Agritech cohort, launching in October 2024 as part of the India-Australia RISE Accelerator, will support startups and small businesses that are driving innovations in sustainable and climate-resilient farming. This program provides resources, mentorship, and funding to help innovators tackle key agricultural challenges, including water management, soil health, and precision farming.
India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have launched this initiative to foster collaboration between the two nations and advance cutting-edge agritech solutions.
This program invites applications from startups and MSMEs focused on tackling critical agricultural challenges. The RISE (Resilient Innovations in Sustainable Enterprises) accelerator program is a collaborative effort between Indian and Australian public agencies to foster cross-border partnerships and technological advancements.
The program specifically targets startups working on climate-smart agricultural solutions, including those focusing on sustainable farming practices, agrotech innovations, and resource-efficient agrarian methods.
- The Applications are open for startups and SMEs from India and Australia to participate in this Climate Smart Agritech cohort.
- Applications deadline – Sunday, 15 September 2024 (7.00 pm IST | 11.30 pm AEST)
Program Overview:
- Funding Opportunity: Startups in the Climate Smart Agritech cohort can receive up to $50,000 to scale their solutions, enhancing their impact on agriculture.
- Focus Areas: The program targets innovations in climate resilience, including water management, soil health, and precision farming, essential for sustainable agriculture.
- Global Collaboration: The RISE accelerator unites Indian and Australian startups to address global agricultural challenges, leveraging diverse expertise for cutting-edge agritech solutions.
- Application Process: Startups are invited to apply, with a focus on innovations that advance climate-smart agriculture. The program offers mentorship, networking, and access to partners and investors.
Two Nations: The Similarities, The Differences & The Vulnerabilities
India and Australia, while different in scale and context, both require significant agricultural transformations to address their unique challenges. India and Australia face significant agriculture challenges, necessitating transformational approaches to ensure food security and sustainability. Collaborative research and technology exchange, particularly in areas like water conservation, climate resilience, and biotechnology, could mutually benefit both nations.
The Agricultural Transformation is Crucial for both nations
Both nations must ensure food security amid growing populations and climate change. For India, feeding a burgeoning population is the priority, while Australia must maintain its status as a major exporter amid volatile climatic conditions.
Sustainable practices are essential to preserve resources for future generations and its sustainability edge. This includes water management, soil conservation, and reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint.
India’s Agricultural Transformation Needs:
- Population Pressure: India supports 18% of the global population with just 2.4% of the world’s land area. By 2050, India’s population is projected to reach 1.64 billion, increasing the demand for food by 70%.
- Resource Constraints: Over 85% of India’s farmers own less than 2 hectares of land, making productivity improvements crucial. Water scarcity is another significant issue, with 54% of India facing extreme water stress.
- Climate Vulnerability: Agriculture contributes 17% of India’s GDP but is highly vulnerable to climate change. Extreme weather events have already reduced agricultural productivity by 4-9% annually.
Australia’s Agricultural Transformation Needs:
- Climate Challenges: Australia is one of the driest continents, with 70% of its land classified as arid or semi-arid. This results in frequent droughts, severely impacting crop yields and livestock production.
- Labor Shortages: The agricultural sector faces chronic labor shortages, with a reliance on seasonal workers. This is further exacerbated by the aging farming population, with the average age of an Australian farmer being 56 years.
- Economic Contribution: Agriculture accounts for approximately 14% of Australia’s exports but represents only 2-3% of GDP. The country needs to sharpen innovation to remain competitive, particularly in the face of increasing global competition and trade challenges.
The Possibilities – Collaboration in Agricultural Research between India and Australia
India and Australia’s shared climatic challenges and crop patterns present a unique opportunity for collaboration in agricultural research and biotechnology development. Both nations can enhance their agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and lead the way in sustainable farming practices by pooling resources and expertise. This collaboration not only benefits India and Australia but also has the potential to contribute to global agricultural advancements.
1. Similar Climate Challenges:
- Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: India and Australia face significant challenges due to arid and semi-arid regions impacting their agricultural productivity. In Australia, large parts of the country are characterized by dry conditions, while in India, areas like Rajasthan and parts of the Deccan plateau experience similar climatic conditions. Collaborative research in drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient farming practices can benefit both nations.
- Seasonal Variability: Both countries experience significant seasonal variability, with Australia facing extreme temperatures and monsoonal rains and India dealing with the monsoon’s unpredictable nature. Joint efforts in developing climate-resilient crops and technologies can help mitigate the impact of these variations on food security.
2. Shared Crop Patterns:
- Common Crops: India and Australia cultivate crops like wheat, rice, pulses, and cotton. Collaborative research in improving these crops’ yield, disease resistance, and nutritional value through biotechnology can lead to more resilient and productive varieties, enhancing food security in both countries.
- Agrotech Innovations: Both nations are advancing in precision agriculture, utilizing technology such as AI, IoT, and drones for better crop management. Shared innovations and research can accelerate the development of tools that optimize resource use, reduce wastage, and increase productivity, benefiting both countries.
3. Biotechnology Development:
- Genetic Engineering and GMOs: India and Australia have shown interest in genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to improve crop resilience and productivity. Collaborative efforts in biotechnology research could lead to the development of GM crops that are better suited to both countries’ environmental conditions.
- Pest and Disease Management: With similar pests and diseases affecting crops in both nations, joint research in biotechnology can focus on developing biopesticides and genetically engineered crops resistant to common threats, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and enhancing sustainability.
4. Food Security and Sustainability:
- Nutrient-Rich Crop Development: Collaborative research can also focus on biofortification, where crops are genetically modified to increase their nutrient content. This can be critical in addressing malnutrition in India and supporting health initiatives in Australia.
- Sustainable Farming Practices: Both countries are committed to sustainable agriculture. By sharing knowledge and technologies, such as conservation agriculture techniques and sustainable irrigation methods, they can improve the sustainability of their agricultural sectors and contribute to global food security.
5. Potential Collaboration Platforms:
- Joint Research Institutes: Establishing joint agricultural research institutes or collaborative projects can facilitate knowledge exchange and innovation. These platforms can focus on shared challenges like water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change.
- Policy and Knowledge Exchange: Policymakers in both countries can collaborate to create frameworks that support agrotech innovation and adoption, ensuring that research outputs are effectively translated into practical solutions for farmers.
Collaborative Research Addresses Shared Challenges in Agriculture
Both countries have developed ecosystems that nurture agrotech startups. Programs like India’s RISE accelerator provide startup funding, mentorship, and access to global markets.
Such programs help India and Australia leverage their strengths in agrotech to address similar agricultural challenges, particularly around sustainability and climate resilience. Their shared focus on innovation and government-backed support will spur progress in the agrotech sector, benefiting farmers and ensuring food security in both countries.
