Kerala is aiming to strengthen its presence in global agricultural markets by promoting value addition, scientific processing, quality assurance, branding, and export-oriented agribusiness ventures, State Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said.
Addressing a gathering at an event focused on agribusiness and agricultural entrepreneurship, the Minister said Kerala possesses significant potential to emerge as a competitive exporter of high-value agricultural products, provided greater emphasis is placed on value addition and market-driven production.
He noted that simply increasing agricultural production is no longer sufficient in today’s competitive global marketplace. Instead, the focus should be on transforming raw agricultural produce into value-added products that meet international quality standards and consumer preferences.
The Minister said export-oriented agribusiness enterprises can play a crucial role in increasing farmers’ income, generating employment opportunities, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Kerala’s agricultural sector. He added that such initiatives would help farmers secure better returns while contributing to the State’s economic growth.
Highlighting the importance of innovation, Siddique encouraged young entrepreneurs and startups to develop technology-driven, export-focused products based on Kerala’s diverse agricultural resources. He said startups should leverage modern processing technologies, digital platforms, and sustainable business models to create globally marketable products.
The Minister assured that the Kerala government would continue extending policy support, technical assistance, and infrastructure to promote agribusiness innovation and encourage entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector. He said the State is committed to creating a favourable ecosystem for technology-driven agribusiness enterprises that can compete successfully in international markets.
He also emphasised the need to strengthen branding and certification mechanisms to enhance the recognition and acceptance of Kerala’s agricultural products in overseas markets. Improved quality assurance, scientific processing, and adherence to international standards, he said, would be key to expanding exports and building a strong global identity for the State’s farm produce.
The State government believes that fostering innovation, encouraging value addition, and supporting export-oriented startups will be instrumental in transforming Kerala’s agriculture into a more sustainable, profitable, and globally competitive sector while creating new opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.