Government job mindset is an impediment to the startup culture: MoS Science and Technology.

MoS Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh inaugurated on 30 September the first-of-its-kind Start-Up Expo spanning over various areas like agriculture, aroma, dairy, pharma, IT, computer and communications in Jammu.

He noted that, “the startup culture is yet to fully meet the imagination of the youth and entrepreneurs in some north Indian states, especially when compared with those in southern India”.

Jitendra Singh lauded the ‘Startup India Scheme’, saying that the number of startups in India has increased tremendously from 350 in 2014 to more than 77,000 in 2022, with 107 unicorns.

While inaugurating the Expo, he said that, “affinity for government jobs is proving to be an impediment to the startup culture in northern India”.

He pointed out the contribution of cities like Bengaluru and Chennai to the development of a startup ecosystem in India. He also underlined the role of emerging technologies that are being focused upon by innovators and entrepreneurs, like 5G, AI (artificial intelligence), drones, semiconductors, block chain technology, green energy and space technology.

Jitendra Singh said, “agriculture is one of the important pillars of the Indian economy as 54% of the Indian population depends directly on agriculture and it accounts for around 20% of GDP. The success story of CSIR promoting Aroma Mission of Lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir needs to be replicated in other states”.

The Minister highlighted one of the aspects of the agri-tech business that there are startups which are emerging as problem solvers for issues related to supply chain management, cooling and refrigeration, seed management and distribution, besides helping farmers to access a wider range of markets.

The minister noted the deficit of awareness in the North Indian region, saying that, “citizens are not availing the benefits of government schemes focused on startups owing to lack of information”.