AGRI-GREEN STARTUPS IN PUNE DISTRICT: OVERCOMING POLICY DELAYS AND FUNDING BARRIERS FOR RURAL SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Keywords:
Agri-green startups, Pune district, Maharashtra, funding hurdles, rural entrepreneurship, SDG alignment,,Abstract
This study examines Agri-green startups in Pune district, Maharashtra, to address policy
delays and funding hurdles in rural entrepreneurship. By studying 20 incubator managers
from Baramati, Phaltan, and Indapur, the study found moderate alignment to the SDGs but
critical challenges in accessing subsidies (1.8/5) and 5 to 8 months of delays in receiving
grants for solar-based irrigation startups and biogas startups. The green startup ecosystem in
Maharashtra, exemplified by Pune-based Oorjan Cleantech and Agro2o, holds promise in the
face of urbanization challenges. The study recommends the need to scale up the Pune model
to become a role model for the country, aligning with the NEP 2020 skilling goals.
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