PRAGATI Initiative: 20,000 Agri Entrepreneurs Plan Launched
Why in the news
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched PRAGATI to create a network of 20,000 agri entrepreneurs who will carry regenerative farming and rural change to villages.
Key facts
- Launch: by the Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister; event reported on 9 July 2026.
- Target: 20,000 agri entrepreneurs across the country.
- Model: privately led and multi-stakeholder; backers include corporate CSR arms (PepsiCo, SBI Foundation), the Gates Foundation and NGOs.
- States: Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
- Impact aim: 20 lakh smallholder farmers.
Services at village kiosks
| Service | What farmers get |
|---|---|
| Agronomy advisory | Crop guidance and best practices |
| Soil health | Testing and nutrient advice |
| Mechanisation | Access to equipment |
| Credit linkage | Bank and microfinance connections |
| Market access | Better selling prices |
| Livelihoods | Options beyond primary farming |
The financial and digital push also covers credit, insurance (linked to PMFBY), savings and entitlements such as PM-KISAN and DBTs.
Background terms
- Regenerative agriculture: restores soil health, biodiversity and water cycles; practices include no-till or minimum-till, cover crops, crop rotation, agroforestry and livestock integration.
- Climate-smart agriculture (FAO): raise productivity and incomes, adapt to climate change, and cut greenhouse gases where possible.
- Agri entrepreneur: trained local person running a village Agri Business Centre as the last-mile link for smallholders.
Exam angle
- PRAGATI is privately led, not wholly government funded.
- Number to remember: 20,000 entrepreneurs; eight States.
- Climate-smart agriculture has three pillars and was coined by FAO.