In a major boost to agritech innovation, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in collaboration with Social Alpha — a non-profit development platform that supports early-stage science and technology startups — has announced a ₹10M challenge for startups. The Agritech Innovation Challenge is aimed at promoting innovation catered towards solving problems in agriculture and rural development. The conference, as reported by The Hindu Businessline, will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, and it will carry the theme “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Bio Happiness.”
The challenge will be held during the proceedings of MS Swaminathan International Centenary Conference. The event marks the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna recipient Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, widely known as the Father of India’s Green Revolution. The event will focus on climate-resilient agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood enhancement. A ₹10 million grant has been provisioned to support the widespread rollout of the most promising solution.
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Honoring Legacy Through Agritech Innovation
Addressing the media during the Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF, emphasized the urgency and vision behind the initiative.
This centenary conference is more than a tribute to Professor MS Swaminathan, it’s a call to action. As we confront climate change, biodiversity loss and rural distress, we need bold, science-led solutions rooted in equity and sustainability. The Agritech Grand Challenge reflects that vision, supporting innovations that are pro-poor, pro-nature, and grounded in the wisdom of farmers.
The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is a non-profit research institution focused on institution of science and technology to “improve the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.” Founded by MS Swaminathan in 1988, the foundation works on issues like food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate change, with a “pro-poor, pro-women, and pro-nature” approach. The foundation also claims to focus on delivering food system transformations to strengthen nutrition security in India and South Asia.
