Inaugurating the programme, T. Sajitha Rani, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University, emphasised the importance of agricultural development in addressing poverty and ensuring food security.
The Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and TiE Kerala jointly organised AGRICON 2026 at the university campus on World Food Day, bringing together more than 600 farmers, agripreneurs, start-ups, investors, researchers, industry leaders and technology experts to explore emerging opportunities in agriculture and agri-based enterprises.
Held under the theme “Where Agriculture Meets Enterprise, Innovation and Technology,” AGRICON 2026 focused on transforming agriculture into a more profitable, technology-driven and sustainable enterprise through innovation, value addition, mechanisation and investment.
Inaugurating the programme, T. Sajitha Rani, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Agricultural University, emphasised the importance of agricultural development in addressing poverty and ensuring food security. She noted that the growing interest among young people who return from jobs abroad to pursue agriculture and agri-based businesses reflects a renewed recognition of the sector’s potential. Agriculture, she observed, offers opportunities for innovation, enterprise creation and sustainable livelihoods.
Delivering the keynote address, Sivadas B. Menon, managing director of Sterling Farm Research and Services, said agriculture should be viewed not merely as a means of livelihood but as a sector offering significant entrepreneurial opportunities. Closer collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs and extension agencies, he said, is essential to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and their adoption in the field. Such an integrated approach can generate new employment opportunities and income streams in the agricultural sector.
Value addition
Damodar Avanoor, managing director of Chethana Formulations and former president of TiE Kerala, highlighted the importance of value addition in enhancing the commercial potential of agricultural produce. Processing, product diversification and improvements in quality can help create higher-value products, improve market opportunities for farmers and encourage the growth of new agribusiness ventures.
K. Paul Thomas, managing director and chief executive officer of ESAF Small Finance Bank, emphasised the need for stronger linkages among farmers, start-ups and financial institutions. Binoo P. Bonny, Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University, highlighted the university’s efforts to promote farmer entrepreneurship through various extension programmes.
K.P. Sudheer, Head of the Agri Business Incubator at Kerala Agricultural University, highlighted the importance of nutritious food in building a healthier future. He stressed that agricultural and food-sector development must focus not only on increasing production but also on ensuring food quality, safety and nutritional value.
The programme featured discussions on transforming farms into enterprises, value addition to agricultural produce, agricultural technology and mechanisation. These sessions provided a platform for exchanging ideas on strengthening agribusinesses, improving the commercial application of research and identifying emerging opportunities for technology-driven agricultural enterprises.
Published - October 16, 2026 09:12 pm IST