To be evaluated based on the institution’s strength, preparedness in hosting ABI, business ecosystem, ABI business plan, operating model, systems and processes and effective leadership. Following factors would be considered.

I. Strength of the Institute in hosting ABI

• Well-equipped laboratories. However, space for housing incubator will be provided suitably.
• Proven competence in the field of biofertilizer and fermentation
• Multi-disciplinary and competent team of scientists
• A number of commerciable technologies available with the Institute
• Collaborations with reputed institutes like Junagadh Agricultural University, GSBTM, and private enterprise like Khedut feed and food, APEDA, IOPEPC, Solvent Extraction Association of India, etc.
• Close tie-up with various international such as ICRISAT
• ISO 9001-2008 certified institute
• Located in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat which accounts of 40% of cultivated area of groundnut in India and is known for its business acumen and entrepreneurs’ value

II. Overall business environment of the location and ecosystem in the region

• Gujarat is known for its business friendly environment and endowed with very good entrepreneurial eco-system. The institute is located at the heart of Sourashtra region which is also known as ‘Groundnut Bowl’ contributes 40% in area and 30% in production of groundnut. All the technologies available at the disposal of his Directorate is either related to use of biofertilizers for enhancing productivity of groundnut or utilizing groundnut byproducts for commercial production of enzymes. All the raw materials needed for such activities are available in plenty. Thus, there is great potential in developments of groundnut-based industries related to commercial production of biofertilizers and utilizing its byproducts for commercial gains.
• The location is well connected with different parts of India and thus there is chance for a horizontal expansion of business once set up. Transportation of products will be easy and the demand for the product will also be high considering the number of farmers engaged in groundnut farming.

III. Assessment of entrepreneurial needs

• The Directorate has already licensed out two of its technologies to the private firm on non-exclusive basis. Few more are in the pipelines. The new technologies developed have immense potential in enhancing yield of groundnut vis-a-vis income of the farmers, if applied while cultivating groundnut. That can also be achieved if and only if, these products are available in the market. Even if 20% of area can be covered with the products intended to commercialized, 3-4 lakh litre of biofertilizers can be sold with market value of approximately 35-40 crores. After initial years, if these products become popular in other groundnut growing states, the quantum of business will be manifold. A number of entrepreneurs have already shown great interest in popularizing these products. More, entrepreneurs will also become interested once these products become popular.
• Will conduct workshops, seminars and brainstorming with various stakeholders both private and government agencies and individuals to popularize the technologies and for developing entrepreneurship.
• Considering the sheer business prospects, there is urgent need for establishing an ABI at DGR, Junagadh

IV. Sources of tapping new incubate entrepreneurs

• Agricultural universities (4 Nos.)
• Agri-Business Management colleges, graduates
• IIM, Ahmadabad
• GSBTM
• Agrinnovate India Limited
• Cooperative societies
• NGOs

V. Financial model of the Incubator for operational sustainability of the ABI after, say 5 years.

• DGR will continue to play vital role in incubation and promotion of the products in the country
• Paid entrepreneurship development trainings programs
• Technology licensing will continue of these products and will ensure revenue generation
• A number of technologies are in the pipelines and will be commercialized in future and the ABI will continue to flourish
• Licensing and royalty fees will be one of the main financial source
• Sale of formulated biofertilizers directly to the customers

VI. Incubation impact created and experience in supporting startups.

The institute has already commercialized following two technologies to M/s Paccar Biotech Limited, Ahmedabad and help in the development of startups. Besides, following events are being organized to create awareness among the entrepreneurs about the business potential of the available biofertilizer technologies:

• DGR-industry interface meeting every year
• Participation in different industrial fairs organized by state and central government to show-case our available technologies to enable the interested entrepreneurs to contact institute
• Popularization of products among the farmers through FLDs

On commercialization of the technologies through development of entrepreneurship and startups following quantum of employment and income are likely to generate in future:

• Each entrepreneur can earn an income of minimum of Rs. 50.00 lakh out of the sale of the product of each technologies
• At least 20 employment at production site and 200 employment in marketing of the product will be created

VII. Industrial connects for business development support

The institute is already in collaborations with reputed institutes like Junagadh Agricultural University, GSBTM, and private enterprise like Khedut feed and food, Paccar Biotech Limited, Girnar Agri-export, APEDA, IOPEPC, Solvent Extraction Association of India, etc. on regular basis for development of business enterprise arising out of available technologies.