Context: Recently, a hackathon named “KRITAGYA” has been planned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP).

About ‘Kritagya’ Hackathon

• It is being organised as an Ag-Tech Hackathon to promote innovation in farm mechanization.
• It is a joint initiative by NAHEP and Agricultural Engineering Division.
• It aims to promote potential technology solutions for enhancing farm mechanization with special emphasis on women-friendly equipment.
• Students, faculties and innovators/entrepreneurs from any university/technical institution across the country can apply and participate in the event in the form of a group.
• Under this, they can propose solutions for farm mechanization.
• Participating students can collaborate with local start-ups, students from technology institutes, and can win Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs 3 lakhs and Rs. 1 lakh as first, second and third prize.
• KRITAGYA is an acronym for KRI for Krishi (Agriculture), TA for Taknik (Technology) and GYA for Gyan (Knowledge).
• The development and promotion of women-friendly equipment through innovative technology solutions and right collaborations with stakeholders would play an important role in enhancing farm productivity and profitability.

Additional Information
National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)

• The ICAR commenced NAHEP in 2017.
• It is a Government of India and World Bank project.
• Objective: To support the National Agricultural Research and Education System providing more relevant and better quality education to the students.