AGI House Junagadh

## Junagadh: Agritech & Wildlife Conservation Hub

### Premier Agricultural Research Center Junagadh is India's groundnut research capital, hosting two major institutions:

**ICAR - Directorate of Groundnut Research (DGR)** Established in 1979, ICAR-DGR is the national authority on groundnut (peanut) research: - Develops high-yield, disease-resistant groundnut varieties - Gujarat produces **30% of India's groundnuts** - Research covers genetics, processing, and export quality - Trains farmers across 8 major groundnut-producing states

**Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU)** - **#30 India Today Rankings 2025** (national level) - **#1 Gujarat** among government universities - **5-Star GSIRF** rating, NAAC A Grade - Strong research in dry farming, oilseeds, cotton - Launched 'Gir Sawaj Bio NPK Culture' - innovative bio-fertilizer

### AI-Powered Wildlife Conservation Junagadh is the gateway to Gir Forest, the only home of Asiatic lions:

**2025 Lion Census Results:** - **891 lions** counted (32% increase from 2020's 674) - AI-enabled census conducted May 10-13, 2025 - 35,000 sq km area across 11 districts

**Key Technologies:** 1. **SIMBA System** - Non-invasive AI identification using facial and stripe patterns 2. **e-GujForest App** - Real-time data recording in Gujarati/English 3. **GPS Satellite Telemetry** - Hourly location tracking 4. **SMART Tool** (ZSL) - Spatial monitoring and threat detection 5. **Sensor Grid** - Magnetic, movement, infrared detection

**Project Lion:** - Rs 2,927.71 crore approved by Central Government - Habitat improvement, radio-collaring, camera traps - Human-wildlife conflict mitigation

### Kesar Mango - GI Tagged Heritage The world-famous Gir Kesar mango originated in Junagadh: - **First cultivar**: 1931 by Junagadh Wazir Sale Bhai in Vanthali - **GI Tag**: 2011 - first agricultural GI from Gujarat - Named by Nawab Muhammad Mahabat Khan III in 1934 - Gujarat produced **1.08 million MT of mangoes** in 2024 - Opportunities in cold chain, sorting AI, export logistics

### Girnar - Tourism Tech Hub Girnar is Gujarat's highest peak with 866 Hindu and Jain temples:

**Girnar Ropeway:** - Asia's longest ropeway - 2.3 km in 7.5 minutes - Inaugurated by PM Modi in October 2020 - 25 cabins including glass-floored cabin - 8,000 passengers/day capacity - "Best Unique Tourism Attraction of Gujarat" 2020

Tourism tech opportunities: AI-powered pilgrimage apps, crowd management, heritage VR, temple donation systems.

### Cost Advantage Junagadh offers the lowest costs in Gujarat: - 1BHK rent: ₹2,500-8,000/month - Meals: ₹50-100 - Excellent Kathiawadi cuisine - Safe, family-oriented city

### Dhirubhai Ambani Connection The most famous son of Junagadh district is Dhirubhai Ambani: - Born in Chorwad village (45 km from Junagadh) - Started Reliance with ₹15,000 in 1966 - Built India's largest private company - His entrepreneurial spirit defines the Saurashtra mindset

### Startup Opportunities 1. **Agritech AI** - Crop monitoring, pest detection, yield prediction 2. **Wildlife Tech** - Lion monitoring, forest patrol optimization 3. **Tourism Tech** - Pilgrimage apps, heritage digitization 4. **Mango Tech** - Sorting, grading, cold chain optimization 5. **Groundnut Processing** - Quality AI, aflatoxin detection

Junagadh combines India's best agricultural research with unique wildlife conservation tech - a rare combination perfect for deep-tech founders in agritech and conservation technology.