Drivers and Barriers of Agtech Startups: An Empirical Study in Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal

Abstract

The advancement of technology is changing the face of Indian agriculture unlocking investment opportunities and solving issues of global food security. Central to this evolution is agricultural technology, or Agtech, which is capable of placing India amongst the top countries in terms of agricultural output. This paper evaluates the drivers and barriers to Agtech startup adoption by farmers in the Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. The research adopted a mixed-method research approach. The results of the analysis show that there is a low level of awareness about Agtech startups among farmers, and adoption rates are even lower with only 15.3% of the respondents having used services of such platforms. Lack of awareness, limited technical knowledge, perceived irrelevance, and infrastructure challenges, were cited as significant barriers hindering their usage. It recommends that such barriers should be effectively addressed through awareness programs, training activities and better rural infrastructure. This will assist Agtech in enhancing food security and promoting the growth of Indian agriculture.