The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has the objective of providing quality Agri-produce and products there off to the consumers at large at affordable price. One of the critical commodities is Onion whose price fluctuates significantly due to several reasons. Due to improper storage systems, annual losses amount to about Rs.11000 Cr. It is prudent to invest a decent amount in the development of technological solutions to the problems plaguing the Onion sector and dividends will be attractive. Although the traditional method of making onion husks saves money, the loss of storage is huge and these huts are not economically viable.
In that context, The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs announced a Grand Challenge for the development of ‘Technologies for Primary Processing, Storage and Valorization of Onions’.
The Onion storage grand challenge invites a proposal for developing ‘Technologies for Primary Processing, Storage and Valorization of Onions.
The proposed comprehensive solution for the mega issue should focus on the following:
Vertical 1: Improvements in the designs of storage structures
Vertical 2: Pre-harvesting stage
Vertical 3: Primary Processing
Vertical 4: Valorization: Value addition and utilization of unconsumed and excess onions
Eligibility Criteria
1) The following participants(college students, research scholars, faculties, and industry individuals) can apply. The Team Leader of the participating team must be an Indian citizen.
2) Participants will be categorized under two tracks which are as follows;
Track 1- Students (UG/PG/Diploma), Research Scholars, Faculty
Track 2- Industry individuals, Tech start-ups, MSMEs, LLPs, Professionals
3) The above-mentioned participating teams are not mandatorily required to be registered with Indian Companies/startups / MSMEs LLPs to apply for the challenge. However, the teams shortlisted at second stage (PoC to product stage) will be required to apply for registration as Indian Startups/ Company/ MSMEs/ LLPs and submit the proof of having applied at the final stage (field implementation). It will be expected that by the time of selection at the final stage, necessary registration will be completed. Exceptions will be considered at any stage of challenge.
4) The Indian Tech start-ups, MSMEs, Companies, LLPs registered in India under the company Act can apply. The entity must have 51% or more shareholding with Indian citizens or persons of Indian origin.
Total duration of the challenge would be 12 months (ideation, prototype and product stage) with maximum extension of 3 months depending upon the requirement of the project.
Awards:-
Stage–1 (Ideation to PoC): Shortlisted teams will be asked to make a presentation to Jury*. Based on the
recommendations of Jury, 40 proposals on verticals will be shortlisted. The financialsupport of Rs. 1 Lakheach
to develop a proof of concept (PoC) and/or a working prototype of the proposed solution within 3-4 months
duration would be provided. In this stage, a workable process is to be explained to show the PoC or to design
and develop a prototype to demonstrate to the Jury members consisting of experts from Academia, user
agency (DoCA), MoCA, Industry, etc. The winning team of stage 1 will receive prize money of Rs.25000.
Stage – 2 (PoC to Product Stage): This is the critical phase of the grand challenge to build upon the idea and
mature the prototype. The teams would present their prototypes to Jury. Best Twenty (20) technoeconomically viable prototypes and processes shall be selected for product/Process development and each
team will receive development amount (Rs 5 Lakh) to build theirsolution as per the need of the user agency
within six-twelve months duration (max) and subsequently field trial, testing & deployment, and
demonstration at approx. 25 locations across the country as identified by user agency in next 6-8 months.
These teams shall be provided with additional financial support, if necessary, for handholding by the
Department of Consumer Affairs, MoCA, MIC & AICTE (knowledge partner) and the implementing agency
(DoCA) for testing, deployment, and demonstration at the live site. The winning team of stage 2 will receive
prize money of Rs. 50,000.
• For these field trials, each finalist will be provided the following financial support
• For sourcing and installation of devices/solutions deployment
• For logistics, travel, and other contingency expenses. The cost of sourcing and deployment of
devices and solutions will be estimated by the implementing agency based on t h e business plan
submitted by the applicants, inwhich such costs have to be mentioned explicitly.
Stage – 3 (Filed implementation stage): The selected teams of Stage-2 will get a chance of a lifetime to deploy
a fully functioning product/process at a location earmarkedby the user agency. The products/processes will
be presented to Jury and user agency. The solutions would be evaluated based on parameters that will
include Innovation, Replicability, Scalability, Usability, Price of the product, Ease of deployment/roll-out,
Potential risks involved in the implementation of the solution etc. Based on the evaluation, one winner in
each category and two/four runner-ups will be selected and supported appropriately for the field
deployment of the solution.
All teams including the winning team shall be free to market the product to any entity outside the user agency with
consent of user agency, if required. Intellectual property (IP) of the developed novel product/ process would belong
to the innovator.
Evaluation Parameters and quantifiable matrix to be adopted by the implanting agency
Deadline:- 15-10-2022
