Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya’s (IGKV) Agri-Business Incubation Centre (R-ABI), Raipur, facilitated a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between its incubated start-up, Urvarak Industries Pvt. Ltd., and Japan’s Konoike Group. The ceremony, attended by IGKV’s Vice Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel, marked a significant step in globalising innovative agricultural solutions. The MoU was signed by Anil Passary, founder of Urvarak Industries, and Katsufumi Ohtsuki, General Manager of the Konoike Group. The agreement focuses on marketing the innovative soil conditioner, developed by Urvarak Industries, in Japan and other Asian regions. Made from steel slag, the product contains 13 vital micronutrients, enhances crop yields, and increases farmers’ income. Passary shared the inspiration behind the innovation and its potential benefits for agriculture worldwide, while Ohtsuki discussed the logistics company’s strategy to market the product in Japan.

 

“Our expertise in logistics will help streamline the marketing and supply of this product internationally,” Ohtsuki remarked. Dr Hulas Pathak, Head and CEO of IGKV R-ABI, highlighted the achievements of the incubation centre during the event. “IGKV R-ABI has incubated 300 start-ups, 119 of which were recommended for grant-in-aid worth INR 13.28 crore. These start-ups have positively impacted the lives of over one million farmers,” he stated. Vice-Chancellor Dr Chandel congratulated the start-up and invited the Japanese delegation to explore further partnerships with IGKV-incubated ventures, emphasising the need for global collaboration in agri-business innovation. The event was attended by deans, directors, and dignitaries from the state’s industrial and academic sectors.