The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in partnership with India’s ITEC program under the Ministry of External Affairs, launched a two week capacity building initiative designed to strengthen agrifood innovation ecosystems across emerging economies. The program, Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agriculture for Sustainable Development, brought together 34 participants from 21 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific, drawing on expertise in agricultural research, extension, development, policy, and agribusiness.
The collaboration comes at a time when global investment in agrifood innovation has reached US$16 billion in 2024, reflecting heightened urgency to modernize food systems. Yet fewer than five percent of agrifood startups emerge from low and middle income countries, despite their role in producing one third of the world’s food and supporting most smallholder communities. This disparity underscores the need to build stronger capacities in agripreneurship, innovation management, and scalable agribusiness development.
Building Capacities for Innovation Led Agrifood Systems
The program reinforced the strategic value of equipping professionals with the competencies needed to drive sustainable agri food systems. It was emphasized that the future of global agriculture depends on empowering stakeholders with the skills to innovate, mobilize collaboration, and accelerate progress across borders. The training was positioned as a demonstration of commitment to advancing South-South cooperation by developing practitioners capable of supporting climate resilient, nutrition sensitive, and sustainability focused agri food systems in the Global South.
This program demonstrates ICRISAT’s commitment to fostering South-South collaboration by developing skilled leaders capable of advancing climate resilient, nutrition sensitive, and sustainable agrifood systems across the Global South.
Over the two weeks, participants engaged in 23 expert led sessions delivered by 16 industry practitioners and seven ICRISAT scientists. These engagements provided a comprehensive overview of innovation opportunities across the agrifood value chain, integrating perspectives from research, enterprise development, and commercialization.
Senior representatives from Zepto, ITC Limited, Yara International, AgHub, NutriHub-IIMR, DeHaat, MANAGE, World Vegetable Center, DCM Shriram, Heifer International, HarvestPlus, Inera Crop Science, Caspian Pvt Ltd, and the MSME sector mentored projects and joined discussions designed to align innovation with investment, operational scale, and farmer centric impact.
The program also articulated the catalytic potential of agricultural entrepreneurship, noting that the success of agri startups is contingent on solutions that enhance farmer empowerment, enable market access, and support income growth. Participants were encouraged to strengthen their practical capabilities to advance scalable, impact oriented models suited to diverse agricultural systems.
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A dedicated session explored business model innovation, highlighting the importance of flexible and scalable approaches that maintain strong linkages with end users. It was noted that startups with a deep understanding of local contexts, coupled with technology integration and efficient delivery networks, are better positioned to serve last mile segments.
The success of agri-startups depends on solutions that empower farmers, improve market access, and enhance livelihoods. Equipping professionals with practical skills strengthens startups’ ability to deliver scalable, impact-oriented solutions across diverse agricultural systems.
Immersive Learning Through Exposure Visits
Participants visited ICRISAT facilities and national innovation hubs including MANAGE, NutriHub, AgHub, NAARM, and Ni-MSME. These visits offered firsthand exposure to how research, enterprise incubation, and industry partnerships intersect to produce market ready agritech innovations. The experience underscored the value of connecting scientific research with entrepreneurial action to generate solutions that respond to real world agricultural challenges.
Addressing the need for effective business models, Srinivas Swain, Head of Fresh Business, Zepto, observed that startups must adopt flexible, scalable approaches that connect directly with end-users. “Startups that understand local contexts, leverage technology, and build efficient delivery networks are best positioned to reach the last mile,” said Swain.
The cohort’s engagement and enthusiasm were acknowledged as indicators of their commitment to applying acquired learnings in their respective countries. Their emerging ideas and project concepts were noted as contributions not only to national agricultural development efforts but also to the broader agenda of global food security.
Strengthening Networks for Collaborative Innovation
The program concluded with reflections on its role in enhancing entrepreneurial capabilities across the Global South. It was highlighted that participants completed the course with sharpened skills in agribusiness project development, strengthened understanding of sustainable value chain strategies, clear country specific action plans, and expanded global networks. These outcomes are expected to support continued collaboration and advance innovation driven agricultural development in their home regions.
