Second edition of ‘Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge’ launched

• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in partnership with Startup India, launched the second edition of ‘Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge’ at an event celebrating ‘National Milk Day’ in Anand, Gujarat to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr. Varghese Kurien.
• The first edition of the startup grand challenge was launched by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on 12th September, 2019.

Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge 2.0

• The aim of the challenge is to scout for innovative and commercially viable solutions to address six problems faced by the animal husbandry and dairy sector.
• A winner will be awarded with Rs 10 Lakh and a runner-up with Rs 7 Lakh cash for each of the 6 problem areas.
• Up to 12 winners to get incubation.
• The incubator would be responsible for virtual incubation of these startups for up to 3 months, mentor matchmaking, lab facility for POC development and testing facilities (on case-to-case basis), conducting business and investor workshops, and tracking the activities of the startups for up to 9 months after the completion of the program. 

Problem Areas

1. Cost-effective, Long-term, and User-friendly Alternatives for Storage and Supply of Semen Doses
2. Development of Cost-effective Animal Identification (RFID) and Traceability Technology
3. Development of Heat Detection Kits
4. Development of Pregnancy Diagnosis Kits for Dairy Animals
5. Improvement of existing milk supply-chain from village collection centre to the dairy plant
6. Development of Low-cost Cooling and Milk Preservation System and a Data Logger