KERA invites agri-business players from Karnataka, other states to forge alliance with FPCs

The Kerala Government, in assistance with the World Bank under the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) project, on Thursday, invited agri-business players from Karnataka and other states in the country to forge alliances with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in Kerala.

Addressing press persons in Mangaluru on Thursday, Suresh C. Thampi, Kerala’s Deputy Director of Agriculture and Procurement Officer of KERA, said the initiative aims to create sustainable linkages that connect Kerala’s premium agricultural produces to local, national and international markets, ensuring farmers receive better prices and a secure market linkage.

He said the programme will establish 150 Productive Alliances (PA) across three key regions in three phases by 2029. The first phase will focus on 50 alliances in the northern districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram. Farm-based companies, supermarket chains, exporters and e-commerce platforms like entities, from across the country, are invited to apply for this opportunity, he said.

Under this initiative, both the FPCs and agri-business players come together to create a PA that is beneficial to both. Eligible PA will receive grants up to 60% of the total alliance cost (maximum ₹2 crore) for production investment and business development.

Three years of expert technical assistance will be provided. Companies with a minimum annual turnover of ₹10 crore and a proven commitment to working with Kerala farmer communities are invited to collaborate, he said.

Around 70 acres of land have been identified in different parts of Kerala for the establishment of food parks.

Mr. Thampi said the KERA project aims to transform Kerala’s agricultural landscape by strengthening climate resilience, enhancing value chains and improving farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable, inclusive and technology-driven interventions.

Conceived in the wake of increasing climate uncertainties and the need for market-oriented agricultural development, KERA focuses on building an ecosystem where farmers, producer companies, agri-businesses, research institutions and public agencies work collaboratively to achieve long-term resilience and competitiveness in agriculture.

The KERA project has been initiated with an outlay of ₹2365 crore for five years. Of this, 70% of the contribution is by the World Bank and the rest from the Kerala government. He said ₹400 crore has been earmarked for PA initiative under the KERA project.