The Karnataka Government inaugurated the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Agri & Allied Innovation in Kalaburagi, representing an important step forward in promoting rural innovation, agri-tech, and entrepreneurship in the Kalyana Karnataka area.

The Centre, created under the Local Economy Acceleration Program (LEAP) the Government’s primary Rs 1,000 crore initiative will function as a specialized center for research, innovation, and business development in agriculture and related sectors.

Priyank Kharge, the Minister for Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj of Karnataka, inaugurated the center at Gold Hub in Kalaburagi.

The event also signified the launch of the ‘Vikas and Prerana’ initiatives designed to promote grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship in the area.

Following the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) established this year between the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology (GoK), via the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS), and Krishi Kalpa Foundation, the center is now functional and ready to create tangible impact.

Serving as a center for rural innovation and agricultural technology advancement, the Centre of Excellence will emphasize research and development in agri-tech and related fields, the advancement of AI-driven agriculture, IoT, robotics, and digital farming strategies.

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It will additionally emphasize skill enhancement and capacity-building efforts for rural youth and entrepreneurs, as well as provide support for startups, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and grassroots innovators.

Priyank emphasized the Government’s ongoing commitment to broadening innovation ecosystems outside of Bengaluru. "Kalyana Karnataka possesses significant capacity to become a center for innovation in agriculture and rural business."

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“The establishment of this Centre of Excellence is a crucial move to connect technology, entrepreneurship, and opportunity with our communities. It will allow farmers, startups, and young innovators to work together on innovative solutions while enhancing livelihoods and promoting inclusive growth,” Priyank stated.

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Emphasizing the extent of Karnataka’s startup ecosystem, Priyank noted, “Karnataka currently hosts around 18,000 registered startups, and our aim is to provide them with the necessary support systems—such as mentorship, pilot opportunities, and funding. We acknowledge that every startup needs initial funding of approximately Rs 50 lakh, and the government is dedicated to providing this assistance to close to 1,500 startups to aid their growth and success.”