Kerala Farm Start-Ups Shine at National RKVY-RAFTAAR Meet

Speedy Summary:

• Six agricultural start-ups incubated at Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) were recognized as top performers during a national review meeting under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubation program.
• The high-level review was chaired by the RKVY advisor and focused on evaluating progress and innovation in agri-business initiatives nationwide.
• Start-ups developed eco-pleasant agricultural products aimed at sustainability, rural growth, and export growth.

– Vineetha A.K.: Cassava starch-based fabric spray; won ‘Woman in Change Award’.- Manas Madhu: Jackfruit snack brand ‘Beyond Snacks’; secured ₹5 million funding via Shark Tank India.
– brijith Krishna: Healthy sprouted cashew food products; honored with Best Cashew Entrepreneur award.
– Saji Varghese: Coconut leaf straws exported to 25 countries; winner of Switzerland’s Mass Challenge Award.
– T.J Thankachan: Mushroom-based vitamin D2 drink to aid farmers’ earnings and nutrition sector growth.
– Vidya K.S.: Millet-based organic foods promoting enduring agriculture, widely available in stores.

• Event emphasized boosting exports from local agri-startups, aligning with a new ₹300 crore Central scheme supporting export-ready agri-food ventures.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The recognition of Kerala’s agricultural start-ups highlights India’s growing emphasis on eco-friendly innovations rooted in traditional farming practices while addressing modern challenges like sustainability and market adaptability.These ventures signify progress toward rural empowerment through dynamic entrepreneurship models supported by government schemes like RKVY-RAFTAAR.

with increasing support for export-focused agritech start-ups-including funding schemes-the initiative could provide notable benefits to small-scale farmers while fostering international trade opportunities for India’s unique produce. The demonstrated potential of these start-ups reflects the alignment between innovation, environmental responsibility, livelihood promotion, and economic aspirations for agribased industries.

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