Agri-Business Incubation Centre at ICAR-IIHR

Objectives of ABI

• Commercialization of institute technologies through incubation
• Development of entrepreneurship in horticulture production systems
• Capacity building and consultancy skill development

The ITMU & ABI, a unit of ICAR- IIHR, Bengaluru strives to be a bridge that links the research community with all the stakeholders of horticulture and businesscommunity. It attempts to promote horti-business ventures through technology development, dissemination and commercialization for everyone from a corporate to an individual farmer.A number of technologies have been protected, filed for patentsand licensed for mass production under different theme areas.

Focus Areas

• Vegetable, Fruit & Flower Cultivars
• Medicinal Crop Technologies
• Crop Nutrition & Protection Technologies
• Post Harvest Technologies
• Farm Implements & Machinery
• Mushroom Production Technologies

Seed & Planting Material

The improved varieties, hybrids having multiple disease resistance and high yield in crops like vegetables, fruits, medicinal and ornamental crops have been developed by institute. Lines with special traits like male sterility are also available. In the last ten years, institute has licensed to more than 73 seed companies.

Plant Health Management

Safe and cost effective plant health management technologieslikebio-pesticides, micronutrients, botanical formulations, pheromone traps and bio fertilizersetc., are offered to promote sustainable plant health management.

Post Harvest Technjologies

Processed products like fruit bar, osmotically dehydrated products, ready to serve (RTS) beverages, crushed tomato, squashes,wines, dry flower andmushroom products are available for licensing

Farm Machinery & Implements

󠁯The institute has developed various machineries and implements to facilitating farm mechanization. 󠁯The institute has several designs for licensing like 󠁯•󠁏 Nursery Machinery : - Rooting MediaMixing Cum Filling Machine - Automatic 󠁯 Dibbler Cum VaccumSeeder 󠁯•󠁏 Sowing and transplanting: - Onion Drum Seeder - Broad Bed Former Cum Vegetable Seedling 󠁯•󠁏 Fruit harvesters: - Mango, Sapota and Lime Harvester - Tractor Drawn Hydraulic Platform for Harvesting and Pruning 󠁯•󠁏 Mango processing: Raw Mango Peeler, Slicer and Cube Cutter 󠁯•󠁏 Mushroom spawn production: Motorized Grain Cleaner, Grain Boiler, Grain and Chalk Powder Mixer, Bag Filling Machine and Bulk Spawn Inoculators 󠁯•󠁏 Fruit and Vegetable vending van 󠁯•󠁏 Arka High Humidity Storage Box

Biotechnology

The division has developed technology forembryogenic cell suspensions for mass multiplication of banana (cv. Elakki bale)

Business Process Development Facility

While IIHR has been leading in technology transfer and commercialization through licensing, a need to hand-hold the licensees was felt from the experience of some of the clients. A number of private firms have licensed the technologies like bio-pesticides and foliar formulations for mass production and commercial scale operations. A large number of licensees faced difficulties in scaling up the laboratory processes to suit commercial production, which could not be addressed by the institute or the technology innovator. It was in this context that the establishment of the Horticulture Technology Management HTM-BPD, that the innovator or the HTM-BPD have been able to handhold the licensees for a period of six months to one year, once they become members of the BPD. Further, the BPD also provides other services such as assisting the clients to write bankable proposals, introducing them to consultants and markets and help them find new markets and establish their business. The HTM- BPD at IIHR provides technology commercialization and incubation under two distinct models, i.e., On-site incubation, Off-site incubation and specialized incubation as has been presented in Fig 1.

On - site Incubation: Technology Commercialization through Value Chain Incubation

As a technology based incubation facility, HTM-BPD provides its member clients, an opportunity to scale up the licensed technology for maximizing profits. Member clients who are selected after rigorous criteria are provided with technology up- scaling facilities inclusive of infrastructure, space and other technical inputs. The innovator works in close collaboration with the client for scaling up the processes

Incubation Model - HTM BPD

HTM-BPD also permits the client to sell their produce through the marketing network of the research institution and assist the client to get better market. Besides the technology licensing fee, the client pays additional pre-fixed rent for the facilities provided and also a royalty in the range of 5-10% on the net sale of the produce sold through the institutes’ sales network. An Onsite incubatee is permitted space and facilities for a maximum of 12 months before the client graduates from the incubation process. Some of the services that are included for the Onsite incubation are Business Development Services: Navigating regulatory Requirements, Standards and Compliance. Product / Process / Human Resources development & Management; Facilitate Marketing Assistance: Promotion through trade fairs, exhibition and Industry meets.

Off – Site Incubation: Technology Commercialization

The off –site incubation pathway differs from the former one only in the fact that the client is not operating from the institutes premises. The client does license a technology from the institute and is provided with services similar to those of on-site incubation on payment, except for the permission to market their produce through institute’s sales counters. The TTO’s officers in collaboration with the scientist innovators visit the client’s site and provide the requisite advice and direction for up-scaling the licensed technology

Success Stories of ABI

1. Mr. Gavaskar, a B. Tech graduate, founded M/s Hi7 Agri Bio Solutions in Bangalore, initially licensing Banana special and later Mango special and Vegetable special. With 10 employees, the company has a production capacity of 30 tonnes per month, generating an annual turnover of 1.5 crore. 2. Mr. Srinivas established M/s Krishi Biosys in Doddaballapur after discovering commercialization opportunities through ICAR-IIHR's website. He licensed biopesticide technologies and, with a team of 10, produces 40 tonnes of biopesticides monthly, with an annual turnover of 4.0 crore. 3. M/s Leaf Box, founded by M. Kiran Raju, introduced a natural air purifier designed with ICAR-IIHR's support, enhancing aesthetic value and featuring an automated water supply system. 4. Mr. Suhas Mohan, a software engineer, established M/s Bloom Biotech in Chikmagalur, leveraging ICAR-IIHR technologies to generate over Rs 300 lakhs in the last five years, with a full-fledged production unit. 5. Mr. Lakshmaiah's M/s BinduAgri Enterprise, born from his vision and investment of 9 lakhs, thrived on licensing ICAR-IIHR's ArkaNeem Soap technology. With support from ICAR-IIHR's BPD incubation program, the company reached 200 farmers, earning 15 lakhs in revenue, exemplifying the transformative potential of innovative technology and entrepreneurial spiri 6. In 2022, Dr. Niranjan Prabhu K J and Mr. Nithin Sujay K J founded M/S Ecophytocare India Pvt. Ltd. with an initial investment of 10 lakhs. Securing licenses from ICAR - IIHR, they implemented sustainable solutions, impacting 2500 farmers and achieving a revenue of Rs. 25 lakhs, earning recognition for transformative impact and excellence. 7. In 2020, M/S Arekal Organics & Bio-Fertilizers Pvt. Ltd. was established by Mr. Divakara A S and Ms. Anitha L., transitioning from IT to agriculture. They harnessed ICAR-IIHR technologies, weathering 2021's challenges with IIHR's support. Recognition followed, achieving a revenue of Rs. 15 lakhs, impacting 200 farmers. Committed to sustainable agriculture, they aim for industry leadership, driven by passion and resilience. 8. M/S AG Organics, led by Mr. Prashanth D S since 2020, shifted focus to organic farming, utilizing ICAR-IIHR's Arka Microbial Consortium. With an initial investment of Rs. 5 lakhs, they achieved a revenue of Rs. 16 lakhs, reaching 150 farmers. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability propels them toward a future where agriculture and environmental consciousness harmonize. 9. Drs. Ruchi Sahu and Anil Kumar M. founded M/S AIRR Organics and Biofertilizers Pvt. Ltd., licensing ICAR-IIHR technologies. Despite challenges, a strategic investment of Rs. 10 lakhs led to a revenue of Rs. 10 lakhs, impacting 1000 farmers. Their journey reflects determination, collaboration, and innovation, setting a precedent for transformative businesses. 10. Mrs. B. Parvathi Rajyam's journey from government service to entrepreneurship led to Samhita Soil Solutions. Leveraging ICAR-IIHR technology, despite registration challenges, the venture began in 2014, financed by loans and personal funds. With manual production, they supplied 60 to 80 tonnes, focusing on usefulness and farmer goodwill. Expansion and advanced technologies are sought for a greener agricultural market. 11. Aditya Thoomati, a software engineer, delved into mushroom cultivation after training at IIHR, planning a venture in Hyderabad. 12. Rashmi Banuprakash, a home science graduate, innovates with native produce at Spice & Beans in Coorg, mentored by ICAR-IIHR. 13. Vijayakumar, an electrical engineer turned author, embraces mushroom cultivation, leveraging incubation facilities for entrepreneurship. 14. Shilpi Chatterjee, a former banker, advocates for mushroom cultivation's waste reduction potential, undergoing incubation to spread awareness. 15. Ganapath Products, headquartered in Madurai, emerged as a notable player in the biofertilizer sector since 2017. Despite discontinuing operations due to profitability challenges, they introduced Biomic NPKZ, integrating zinc and potassium solubilisation with nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilisation, setting new standards in innovation. 16. Bhavani Bio Chemical, founded by Bharat Naik in 2017 in Hirebaganal, Karnataka, flourished with IIHR's technology support, covering 15 districts and achieving a turnover of 32 lakhs. Currently dormant, they secured a significant loan for future plans, focusing on substantial biofertilizer production. 17. CAPSBER GLOBAL AGRO PVT LTD, founded in 2017 by technical graduates, leveraged IIHR technologies to produce crop-specific micronutrients, biofertilizers, and biopesticides. With a turnover of 12 crores, they aim to lead India's biological input R&D and manufacturing industry, backed by prestigious awards and international acclaim. 18. Rainbow Agro Vet Seri Tech, founded in Kadapa in 2010, specializes in horticultural products sourced partly from IIHR. Despite challenges, including marketing restrictions, they remain active in serving farmers, emphasizing agricultural productivity and quality. 19. SM Plant Technologies Pvt. Ltd., established near Hessarghatta in 2016, excelled in banana tissue culture production but faced closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staff departures, despite receiving recognition and funding from DBT.

Present Incubatees at ABI

Guidelines to become incubatee at ABI, ICAR-IIHR (onsite)

To become an incubatee, the client must purchase technology from ICAR-IIHR (IIHR licensee). Client has to pay annual membership charge based on membership Category from Rs. 2000 to Rs.50000 to become member for ICAR-IIHR BPD and fill BPD membership form

Membership Categories

BPD Registration