The Agri Business Incubator (ABI) of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) organised a ‘merit day’ to honour students who demonstrated academic excellence in the agriculture and food sector, State-level award-winning entrepreneurs, and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) for their outstanding achievements.

T. Sajitha Rani, Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Kerala Agricultural University, was the chief guest at the function, which was presided over by K. Surendran Gopal, Dean, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara. The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the significant role played by the Agri Business Incubator in supporting farmers in their transition from agricultural production to value addition, entrepreneurship and market development.

Dr. Sajitha Rani highlighted that the Agri Business Incubator has been playing a model role by providing farmers, entrepreneurs and FPOs with training, technical support, entrepreneurial guidance, incubation and mentoring, while also facilitating opportunities for their products in domestic and international markets and strengthening market linkages.

Various initiatives

Binoo P. Bonny, Director of Extension, KAU, outlined the various initiatives undertaken by the university for strengthening FPOs. She said the university is giving priority to capacity building, training, technical support, entrepreneurship development and market linkages for FPOs. She further noted that initiatives such as the FPO Linkage Programme are strengthening connections between FPOs, markets and relevant institutions. Such interventions, she added, have a crucial role in transforming farmer collectives into strong and sustainable agricultural enterprises.

K. P. Sudheer, Professor and Head, Agri Business Incubator, said the recognition received by enterprises and FPOs supported by the ABI at the State level is a strong testimony to the effectiveness and impact of its interventions. He highlighted the achievement of Juz Crush, a fruit and vegetable processing enterprise, which has utilised support received through RKVY-RAFTAAR and the PMFME Common Incubation Facility to strengthen the processing and marketing of value-added products and successfully export its products to various countries. He noted that Juz Crush is an excellent example of how value addition to agricultural produce can create enhanced income opportunities for farmers while connecting Kerala’s agri-food processing sector with international markets.

Best FPO

Dr. Sudheer also highlighted PALA Santhom Factory FPO, recipient of the State-level award for the best FPO, as a beneficiary of the ABI’s training, capacity-building and entrepreneurship support initiatives. The FPO has made notable progress in organising farmers through collective action and strengthening value addition, enterprise development and market linkages for their agricultural produce.

As part of the merit day celebrations, Devika K. R. and Nandana P. M., rank-holders of the PG Diploma in Food Industry Management and Quality Control, were honoured for their academic excellence.

Published - August 19, 2026 08:18 pm IST