The proposals, including an agri-tech accelerator fund, underscore the importance of extending technology-led entrepreneurial activity to rural India
India’s Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 made several proposals in her Budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, starting April 1, which signal continuity in the government’s push to support technology-led entrepreneurship.
Ahead of the 2024 general elections, some proposals also specifically focus on boosting tech startup activity beyond the larger cities—in rural India. For example, the minister proposed to set up an agriculture accelerator fund “to encourage agri startups by young entrepreneurs in rural areas”.