NIET - SHITIJ 2.0

New Horizon in Farm Mechanisation and Post Harvest Technology

CIRCOT SHITIJ 2.0 Startup Incubation Programme is a flagship, pan-India initiative under the Agri-Business Incubation Centre (ABIC) framework supported by ICAR National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF).

Designed to identify, nurture, and accelerate high-potential startups, innovators, and entrepreneurial ideas, it provides a structured pathway for early-stage innovators to transform ideas into viable, scalable, and market-ready enterprises.

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Objectives

Identify & Nurture

Identify innovative, scalable agribusiness ideas across India and nurture early-stage startups via structured incubation.

Assistance & Validation

Provide technical, business, and mentoring assistance while facilitating field validation and testing of innovations.

Linkages & Promotion

Strengthen linkages among research institutions and industry to promote sustainable, impact-driven enterprises.

Hub-and-Spoke Model

Implemented through a robust institutional framework to ensure wide geographical outreach and effective domain-based mentoring.

Hub Institute (ICAR-CIRCOT)

Overall coordination and implementation
Constitution of the Startup Selection Committee
Monitoring of activities and timelines

7 Spoke Institutes

Regional outreach and promotion
Organisation of bootcamps and awareness programmes
Screening and technical evaluation
Mentoring, field trials, and expert connect

What You Will Gain

Support & Experience

Refining and validating innovation/product ideas
Understanding customer needs & market demand
Business model & value proposition design
Regulatory compliances & financial planning
Pitching and communication skills

Key Benefits

Structured incubation under the ABIC framework
Guidance from subject matter experts
One-on-one mentoring support
Support for field trials and validation
Access to institutional networks

Focus Areas

Robotics & Automation

Precision Agriculture

IT, IoT and Digital Platforms

Smart Harvesting

Automated Grading & Sorting

Smart Storage & Warehousing

Processing & Value Addition

Digital Post-Harvest Platforms

Smart Agriculture

Our Services

Two Month Training

Networking

Investor Connect

1-on-1 Mentoring

Market Connects

IP Facilitation

Licensing Advisory

Workplace & Lab Support

Timeline & Schedule (2026)

8 - 28 JULY

Launch of Programme

28 JULY

Application Deadline

11 AUGUST

Preliminary Screening Results

1 - 7 AUGUST

Selection Committee Meeting

20 AUGUST

Result Announcement of Selected Applicants

01 SEP - 31 OCT

Two-Month Training Programme

Contact For Details

ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai

Dr. Ashok Kumar Bharimalla

abicircot@gmail.com

+91 970 287 8249

ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal

Dr. Subir Kumar Chakraborty

subir.kumar@icar.org.in

+91 881 990 0845

ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata

Dr. Samir Baran Roy

nirjaftitmu@gmail.com

+91 943 315 6187

ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur

Dr. Dheeraj Singh

dheeraj.singh@icar.org.in

+91 941 419 4005

ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi

Dr. Sujay B Kademani

sujay.kademani@icar.org.in

+91 9741811790

ICAR-IIFSR, Meerut

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra

rp_min@yahoo.co.in

+91 941 257 8625

ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur

Dr. Subhra Saikat Roy

ccrinaif@gmail.com

+91 9436891040

ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair

Dr. D. Karunakaran

itmucari2017@gmail.com

+91 9433286866

Apply Now for SHITIJ 2.0

Last Date of Application: 28 July 2026