Agri-business conclave encourages aspiring businesspeople or entrepreneurs in Kerala
At around 11:30 am on Monday at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the two-day “PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022” event.
Young innovators and entrepreneurs from Kerala who participated in the Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 (agribusiness conclave), which was held on October 17 and 18, were ecstatic about the two-day event. During the occasion, he introduced the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana – One Nation One fertilizer. Speaking on the idea, he said that the “One Nation, One Fertilizer” program will provide farmers with affordable and high-quality crop nutrients.
Companies and businesses that are involved in growing and processing food and other agricultural goods are referred to as being in the agribusiness sector. Businesses that are involved in the marketing and distribution of agricultural products are also referred to as agribusinesses. These companies include retailers, wholesalers, processors, and more. Agribusiness refers to any enterprise engaged in the production, marketing, distribution, and safety of food. Among other places, the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) incubation center and Kerala Agricultural University’s (KAU) agri-incubation center both showcased innovations and businesses at the Delhi meeting. One of the businesspeople who was a member of the Kerala delegation reported that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar, and Ministers of State Shobha Karandlaje and Kailash Choudhary were among those who stopped by these Kerala kiosks. More than 300 aspiring entrepreneurs attended the meeting, which included five innovators from the CIFT incubation unit and the KAU incubation center apiece. Kerala was represented by a businessman who created edible plates from wheat bran, a woman who created the traditional sweet “payasam” from jackfruit seeds, a person who created healthier fruit chips, a person who created a mobile app that was simple to use for farmers with limited literacy, a person who created a seaweed-based herbal gargle with antiviral and antibacterial properties, and a person who produced ready-to-cook mussel products. Meeting farmers and new business owners or entrepreneurs throughout the nation, according to a participant from Kerala, was a positive experience for innovators. According to a letter from CIFT, the meeting saw the presence of more than 13,500 farmers, 1,500 agro start-ups, and almost all farmers from around the nation. Researchers, decision-makers, and other interested parties also attended the “Sammelan.” In order to attract more people to the agro sector, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has emphasized the importance of applying the idea of “ease of doing business” to agriculture. He added in a speech following the Thrissur opening of VAIGA (Value Addition for Income Generation in Agriculture) 2020 that agricultural firms should receive the same benefits as any other modern industry. “We must make sure that regular farmers are knowledgeable about contemporary value addition and its technology. What we need is a dedicated army of agripreneurs, he continued, who would launch commercial initiatives that would effectively take advantage of the prospects for value addition in agriculture. He pointed out that value addition calls for greater financial outlays, infrastructure, marketing initiatives, suitable regulations, training, etc. Khan claims that people are leaving agriculture because of the inconsistent income and hazards associated with production, markets, and prices. However, as seen by the recent increase in the production of paddy, vegetables, and other crops, the Kerala Government’s efforts to persuade people of the value of farming are highly encouraging. He also urged politicians to prioritize increasing the income of farmers. By transforming farmers into agri-preneurs, VAIGA workshops seek to guarantee at least a 30% increase in value-added product growth and to put products under the Kerala Organic brand.
The VAIGA program encourages the development of agri-startups. He also emphasized the importance of upgrading skills in the agricultural industry. Agribusinesses and value addition can only flourish with consistent exposure and training. The State also requires a system to assist business owners in resisting the pressures of unfavorable agribusiness trends. People should no longer be discouraged from sticking with agriculture and agribusiness because of the element of risk.
