Fostering Agri-preneurship: Exploring the Role of Startup Ecosystems in Transforming Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the most important factors for income and food security globally, but it is hampered by issues like climate change, limited resources, inadequate supply systems, and lack of capital. Agri-preneurialism, which is the practice of combining agricultural industry with entrepreneurship, therefore has become a revolutionizing process that can foster change, sustainability and efficiency in farming. This paper aims to determine the relationship between startup ecosystems and agricultural entrepreneurship with a focus on financial support, technological support, policy support mechanisms and market support systems for agri-startups. The study adopts a qualitative research approach that involves the use of literature review, case studies, and secondary data to assess the contemporary regional environment of agri-startups. Cross-listed countries, especially the United States, India, and China, are found to have a higher index score of agri-startups, with favorable venture capital investment and government support acting as the cornerstone. Investment trends show that emerging areas like precision agriculture, AI and IoT have attracted more investor interests than others like blockchain in agriculture and renewable energy because of regulatory and cost challenges. The study also reveals that agri-startups are faced with challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructures, and constraints to market access. Moreover, the methods of sustainable development such as waste management and water management are equally captured as critical to the future of the agricultural entrepreneurs. The current study situates these findings within the existing body of knowledge and emphasises on the need for policies and more studies and funding for this issue. Hiring, incubation, innovation, funding, networking, training, and policy support highlighted by this study note that innovation and sustainable focus programs established to enhance startup ecosystems through financial incentives, regulatory changes, and capacity-building support can drive positive changes towards the global agriculture transformation and the development of a more sustainable food system. The findings provide relevant suggestions for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs who would like to increase agri-preneurship contribution towards improving the state of the economy as well as an environment.