The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) has reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers, entrepreneurs and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in converting agricultural produce into value-added products, with the aim of creating better income and employment opportunities.
KAU Vice-Chancellor T. Sajitha Rani said the university would continue to encourage enterprises that move beyond primary agricultural production and focus on processing, value addition, entrepreneurship and market development. She highlighted the important role of the university’s Agri Business Incubator (ABI) in supporting this transition.
Speaking at a Merit Day programme organised by ABI, Sajitha Rani said the incubator has emerged as a model support system for farmers, entrepreneurs and FPOs. ABI provides a range of services, including training, technical assistance, entrepreneurial guidance, incubation and mentoring. It also helps enterprises explore domestic and international markets and establish stronger market connections.
The Vice-Chancellor appreciated ABI’s contribution towards helping agricultural stakeholders transform their produce into commercially viable products. According to her, such initiatives can enable farmers and collectives to move from conventional production activities towards value addition and sustainable business opportunities.
The Merit Day event was organised to recognise students who excelled academically in agriculture and food-related fields, along with entrepreneurs and FPOs that received recognition at the state level for their achievements.
Binoo P. Bonny, Director of Extension, KAU, outlined the university’s efforts to strengthen FPOs and improve their long-term sustainability. She said KAU is placing particular emphasis on capacity building, technical training, entrepreneurship development and market linkages.
She pointed to the FPO Linkage Programme as one of the initiatives aimed at connecting farmer organisations with markets and relevant institutions. Such linkages, she said, can help farmer collectives develop into professionally managed and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
The programme also highlighted the achievements of enterprises that have benefited from ABI’s support. K. P. Sudheer, Professor and Head of ABI, said the state-level recognition received by several enterprises and FPOs supported by the incubator demonstrated the effectiveness of its interventions.
Among the successful beneficiaries is Juz Crush, a fruit and vegetable processing enterprise. The company used support received through the RKVY-RAFTAAR programme and the PMFME Common Incubation Facility to strengthen its processing and marketing capabilities. The enterprise has subsequently expanded its market reach and successfully exported its value-added products to several countries.
Sudheer also highlighted the achievements of PALA Santhom Factory FPO, which received the state-level award for Best FPO. The organisation benefited from ABI’s training, capacity-building and entrepreneurship development initiatives, demonstrating the potential of structured institutional support to strengthen farmer collectives.
The Merit Day programme also recognised academic achievement. Devika K. R. and Nandana P. M., rank holders in the PG Diploma in Food Industry Management and Quality Control, were honoured for their outstanding academic performance.
KAU’s continued focus on incubation, skill development, market access and enterprise promotion reflects a broader effort to build stronger links between agriculture and value-added industries. By supporting processing enterprises and FPOs, the university aims to create opportunities for higher returns from agricultural produce while encouraging entrepreneurship and employment across the sector.
The university’s initiatives underline the growing importance of value addition and organised farmer enterprises in strengthening Kerala’s agricultural economy and enabling producers to participate more effectively in domestic and international markets.
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Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
