Bengaluru: Minister for IT, BT and Tourism Priyank Kharge has announced setting up of the Centre for Excellence in Agriculture to consolidate the position of Bengaluru as the startup capital of the country.

“We want Karnataka to consolidate itself as the startup capital of India. For this, we have set up several startup incubators and excellence centres,” Kharge said, on the concluding day of the international trade fair-organics and millets here.

According to the minister, the centre will help facilitate faster developments in agri business by providing access to world-class laboratories and research facilities.

Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said: “We want Bengaluru and Karnataka to be a leader in agri business startups along with IT startups.” Grant received by each agri business startup was between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh, a note said.

The main aim of focussing on agri startups is to facilitate increase in yield and quality, while simultaneously advancing technology in production, it said. Seven startups in animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector, nine in Karnataka culture sector, and 12 in the tourism sector also received funding.

Meanwhile, Rs. 107 crore worth of business was generated during the three-day trade fair. Of the total business, letter of intents signed between suppliers and buyers was worth Rs. 27.69 crore, a release said, adding that the event received 2.1 lakh footfalls.