How North-East, J&K & Ladakh Are Realizing The Startup India Mission?

What opportunities are there for start-ups in the North East, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh regions of India? How are the government's efforts to drive inclusive development impacting the growth of these regions? What innovative ideas are taking shape, and what challenges do the start-ups in these regions face?

These are just some of the questions that come to mind when considering the current state of start-ups in these regions.

Union Budget 2023-24 and Inclusive Development

While presenting the budget for FY '23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman kept her focus on inclusive development for farmers, women, youth, other backward classes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, divyangjan and economically weaker sections.

The government has a sustained focus on Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the North-East, with a plan to build digital public infrastructure for agriculture as an open-source, open-standard, and interoperable public good.

The digital public infrastructure for agriculture as an open-source, open-standard, and interoperable public good will enable the young minds in these regions to come forward and convert their ideas into businesses.

Further, the steps in the public good sector will provide farmers with relevant information services for crop planning and health, improve access to credit and insurance, and support the growth of the agri-tech industry and start-ups.

Additionally, the agriculture credit target will be increased to 20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.

The government will launch a new sub-scheme of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana with a targeted investment of 6000 crore to support fishermen, fish vendors, and micro and small enterprises.

Start-up Ecosystem in Ladakh, J&K and North East India

Jammu & Kashmir, which is considered yet another critical area in the country, has grown as a hub of startup over the years! If we look at the DPIIT data from 2016 to 2022, the region has recorded a consistent growth despite the challenges. 

There were just 2 startups registered in 2017, the number drastically reached 159 startups in 2022. The number of startups kept growing throughout these years with 13 startups in 2017, 43 startups in 2018, 37 startups in 2019 and 64 startups in 2020 and 132 startups in 2021.

While J&K has registered whopping growth in the startup space, its neighboring region, Ladakh is no less!

Ladakh was recognized as an ‘Emerging Startup Ecosystem’ by the Government in State’s Startup Ranking 2021.

The newest Union Territory  starting with none from 2016-2019 reached 10 startups in 2022 and the number is going to increase with new announcements in budget 2023-24.

When it comes to North East India, Assam is definitely leading the startup game among the seven sisters with 245 registered startups in 2022, as per DPIIT. As of 2022, Arunachal Pradesh only had 8 startups in 2022, Manipura had 30, Meghalaya registered 10, Mizoram recognized 6, Nagaland had 7, Sikkim had 2 startups and Tripura had registered 26 startups in 2022.

The number of startups in other North East states was less at par with Assam but considering the challenges and lack of resources, each state in North East India has a significant contribution in making the region an entrepreneurial hub.

Innovation Is Leading The Growth

The use of digital technology has opened up new opportunities for innovation in these regions. For example, the development of Apps has inspired young entrepreneurs to experiment with new ideas, such as digital marketing, improved communication between businesses and consumers, and digital streaming of music.

One standout example of innovation is a startup in Assam that has created Braille-friendly tea products, catering to the needs of visually challenged people. The use of drones for survey work has also revolutionized the preparation of detailed project reports, improving development governance and revenue administration. This is just one example, there are many startups that are revolutionizing the startup states in these regional areas.

Looking Ahead!

Despite the challenges and hurdles, the startup ecosystem in North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh is looking ahead with renewed optimism and hope. The government's focus on inclusive development and the allocation of significant funds to support startups in the region has been seen as a positive step forward.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Department of Development of North-Eastern Region, and Ministries of AYUSH, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Skill Development, Jal Shakti, and Cooperation will play a crucial role in realizing the potential of these regions. With continued support and investment, startups can help to spur economic growth, create jobs, and promote innovation.

Moreover, the launch of new sub-schemes such as PM Matsya Sampada Yojana and the increased agriculture credit target will provide much-needed support to farmers, fishermen, and small enterprises in the region. The development of digital infrastructure in agriculture will enable better access to information and services for farmers, helping to improve crop planning and health, and increase access to credit and insurance. The creation of a vibrant startup ecosystem in the region will have a positive impact on the local economy and help to promote sustainable development.

The focus on startups in North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh is a positive step forward, and with continued support from the government and investment from the private sector, the region has the potential to become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Startups have the potential to play a critical role in transforming the economies of these regions and bringing about a positive change for the communities living there.