Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the PRAGATI (Promoting Regenerative Agriculture Through Agri-Entrepreneurship Initiative) in New Delhi to train 20,000 rural youth as agri-entrepreneurs and directly support 20 lakh smallholder farmers across eight states. Described as the largest privately-led agri-entrepreneurship programme in the country, the initiative combines regenerative agriculture with village-level entrepreneurship to address the twin challenges of low farm incomes and degrading soil health.
What Is PRAGATI?
PRAGATI is a multi-state initiative designed to create a nationwide ecosystem of 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs who will set up village-level service kiosks. These kiosks will offer a range of services, including crop advisory, soil testing, farm mechanisation, financial linkages, insurance, and market access to nearby farming communities.
The programme builds directly on the Agri-Entrepreneurship (AE) model developed and refined over years by the Agri-Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF), which was established in 2019. Under this model, India already has an existing network of over 26,000 agri-entrepreneurs supporting more than 26 lakh farmers. PRAGATI will add another 20,000 entrepreneurs on top of this base.
The initiative will be implemented in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. These eight states together account for a significant share of India’s small and marginal farmer population and face varying degrees of soil degradation and climate vulnerability.
Key Targets at a Glance
PRAGATI has set five measurable targets to be achieved over the course of the programme:
| Target Area | Goal |
|---|---|
| Farmer income | Minimum 30% increase for participating households |
| Crop yields | 15% to 20% improvement in key crops such as paddy, maize, and potato |
| Regenerative agriculture adoption | At least 20% of participating farmers transition to regenerative practices |
| Financial inclusion | Formal financial access for 50% of associated farmers |
| Agri-entrepreneur network | Create 20,000 new entrepreneurs on top of the existing 26,000+ network |
The yield targets focus on crops that form the staple diet of millions of Indians and also serve as key raw materials for the food processing industry. By improving productivity in these crops through regenerative methods, the programme aims to demonstrate that sustainability and higher output can go together.
How the Agri-Entrepreneurship Model Works
The agri-entrepreneurship model at the heart of PRAGATI is a last-mile delivery mechanism that addresses the gap between agricultural research and the small farmer.
Selected rural youth undergo training to become certified agri-entrepreneurs. Each entrepreneur sets up a village-level kiosk that acts as a one-stop solution for nearby farmers. The services include advisory services such as crop planning, input management, and pest control guidance based on local soil and weather conditions. Soil testing is offered on-site or through labs to determine nutrient status and recommend precise fertiliser use. Farm mechanisation, including tractors and harvesters, is made available on a pay-per-use basis. Financial linkages help farmers open bank accounts, apply for crop loans, and access insurance products. Market access connects them to buyers, processors, and mandis to get better prices for their produce.
The model places a strong emphasis on financial inclusion. With 50% of associated farmers targeted for formal financial access, the programme aims to bring smallholders into the banking system. This is critical because lack of access to credit and insurance keeps many farmers trapped in low-productivity cycles.
Women farmers receive special focus under the programme. The earlier AE model had already increased women’s participation among agri-entrepreneurs from 19% in 2020 to over 53% by 2024, and PRAGATI aims to continue this trend.
Why Regenerative Agriculture?
Regenerative agriculture refers to a set of farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and improve the water cycle rather than depleting natural resources. Unlike conventional farming, which often relies on heavy chemical inputs that degrade soil over time, regenerative methods work with natural processes.
Key practices promoted under the programme include minimum tillage or no-till farming to preserve soil structure and organic matter, cover cropping and green manuring to keep the soil covered and add nutrients, and crop rotation with intercropping to break pest cycles and improve soil biodiversity. Composting and the use of bio-inputs help reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers, while agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs with crops for better carbon sequestration and microclimate management.
These practices address a critical problem facing Indian agriculture. Decades of intensive farming, particularly since the Green Revolution, have pushed the average Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) level in India below 0.3%, far short of the recommended 1% threshold. Low organic carbon reduces the soil’s ability to hold water and nutrients, making farms more vulnerable to droughts and floods.
Regenerative agriculture also has a climate dimension. Healthy soils act as carbon sinks, pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it underground. This makes regenerative practices a natural tool for climate mitigation, aligning with India’s commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.
The Partners Behind PRAGATI
PRAGATI is a public-private partnership bringing together a diverse coalition of organisations. The Agri-Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF) is the lead implementing body, but the initiative draws on the resources and expertise of several national and global institutions:
| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| PepsiCo Foundation | Funding, technical expertise in sustainable agriculture, and supply chain linkages |
| State Bank of India Foundation (SBIF) | Financial inclusion support and banking linkages for farmers |
| Gates Foundation | Funding and technical support for smallholder agriculture |
| IDH | Sustainable trade and value chain development |
| Heifer International | Training in regenerative practices and community mobilisation |
| Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) | Expertise in climate-smart agriculture and carbon markets |
| Global Agri Entrepreneurship Academy | Curriculum development and entrepreneur training |
| Sustainable Agriculture Foundation International Association (SAFIA) | Knowledge sharing on sustainable practices |
| Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF) | Rural development and last-mile delivery support |
The inclusion of the PepsiCo Foundation and Gates Foundation gives the programme access to global best practices in sustainable farming and supply chain management. The SBI Foundation brings the banking network needed to achieve the financial inclusion targets.
PRAGATI and India’s Agricultural Vision
At the launch, Minister Chouhan stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 cannot be realised without a developed agricultural sector and prosperous villages. PRAGATI fits into this larger framework in several ways.
First, the programme addresses the problem of low farm incomes directly through the target of a 30% increase. This goes beyond simply raising production. The emphasis on value addition, food processing, and market linkages ensures that farmers earn more from what they grow, rather than being price-takers in crowded mandis.
Second, the agri-entrepreneurship model tackles rural unemployment by creating dignified livelihood opportunities for rural youth. With 20,000 new entrepreneurs, each kiosk will serve hundreds of farmers, creating a multiplier effect on local employment.
Third, the focus on regenerative agriculture aligns with India’s international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and its domestic target of Net Zero by 2070. Agriculture accounts for nearly 14% of India’s greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from livestock, fertiliser use, and paddy cultivation. Regenerative practices can reduce these emissions while also building resilience against climate shocks.
Fourth, the financial inclusion component supports the broader goal of Jan Dhan deepening. Linking farmers to formal banking, credit, and insurance creates a documented financial history that can unlock further economic opportunities.
The programme also builds on the government’s existing push for agri-startups through the RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme and the Agriculture Accelerator Fund, which provide grants of up to ₹25 lakh for early-stage agri-ventures.
Key Takeaways
- PRAGATI (Promoting Regenerative Agriculture Through Agri-Entrepreneurship Initiative) was launched by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to train 20,000 agri-entrepreneurs and support 20 lakh smallholder farmers.
- The programme targets a 30% increase in farmer incomes, 15-20% higher yields in paddy, maize, and potato, and regenerative agriculture adoption by at least 20% of participating farmers.
- It will be implemented in eight states: Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
- PRAGATI builds on the existing network of over 26,000 agri-entrepreneurs incubated by the Agri-Entrepreneur Growth Foundation (AEGF), established in 2019.
- Key partners include the PepsiCo Foundation, Gates Foundation, SBI Foundation, Heifer International, and the Environmental Defense Fund, among others.
- The initiative supports India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision and its Net Zero by 2070 climate commitment through climate-resilient, regenerative farming practices.
