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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala agricultural start-ups among top performers at national RKVY-RAFTAAR review meet
Six agricultural start-ups incubated at the Agri-Business Incubator of Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) have been recognised among the top-performing ventures under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubation programme. The recognition came during a high-level national review meeting chaired by the RKVY advisor to evaluate the progress and impact of agri-business incubators and their associated start-ups. The meeting brought together representatives from RKVY-RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubators across India, as well as emerging entrepreneurs who showcased innovations supported under the scheme. The Kerala-based start-ups presented unique agri-based solutions that have made significant strides in sustainability, product innovation, and rural livelihood development. K.P. Sudheer, Head of the Agri-Business Incubator at KAU, highlighted the significance of the event, stating it provided a rare national platform for start-ups to gain visibility and recognition. 'Such initiatives inspire a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs and help drive the growth of rural economies,' he said. Entrepreneurs from Kerala, including Vineetha A.K., Manas Madhu, Brijith Krishna, Saji Varghese, T. J. Thankachan, and Vidya K.S., shared their innovative products and business models. These start-ups have benefited from training and financial support through the Raftaar Agri Business Incubator program at KAU. Ms. Vineetha developed a cassava starch-based fabric care spray, winning the 'Woman in Change Award' from Startup India. Her eco-friendly innovation supports cassava farmers and promotes women-led agricultural enterprises. Mr. Madhu, founder of Doctor Jackfruit India Pvt. Ltd., created Beyond Snacks, a jackfruit snack brand that gained national attention through Shark Tank India, securing ₹5 million in funding and equity investment. Mr. Krishna of Eatery Malabarikus transformed the use of sprouted cashews into a line of healthy food products. His innovation, born during a market slowdown, won him national recognition, including the Best Cashew Entrepreneur award. Mr. Varghese, founder of Zaphon Repurpose, created Sunbird Straws — eco-friendly drinking straws made from coconut leaves. The venture now exports to 25 countries and has won global acclaim, including the Switzerland Mass Challenge Award. Mr. Thankachan of TMJ Foods India Pvt Ltd developed a mushroom-based health drink rich in Vitamin D2, helping mushroom farmers boost their income while offering a nutritious health product. Ms. Vidya, co-founder of Swojas Farms, promotes millet-based organic products such as dosa mixes, nutri bars, and flakes, now available in supermarkets and bakeries. Her venture supports sustainable farming and healthy eating. Growth of exports The main goal of the event was to chart a clear path for the growth of exports from local agricultural start-ups, in connection with the recently unveiled Central government scheme of ₹300 crore, aimed at supporting 100 promising export-ready agri-food start-ups in the country. Experts and policymakers from diverse sectors participated.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Experts stress need for issuing accurate and localised forecasts for State
As above normal southwest monsoon is forecasted for the State in 2025, a one-day stakeholder dialogue titled 'Tracking the Monsoon: Kerala Outlook 2025' held here on Thursday stressed the need for issuing accurate and localised forecasts for the State in the future. Experts who took part in the summit stressed the importance of coordinated weather observation for better forecasting while emphasising the need for dense weather observation. The stakeholders also appreciated the Institute for Climate Change Studies' (ICCS) upcoming weather app for data collection and assimilation. The concept of a monsoon forum was also welcomed in the meet, with recommendations to extend such discussions in the future. The event organised by the ICCS in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, and the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and representatives from key departments to deliberate on the preparedness strategies for the upcoming southwest monsoon season in Kerala. Actionable insights Technical sessions covered seasonal forecasts, disaster management, resource management, livelihood, and well-being, and experts shared insights and best practices. The dialogue was aimed at developing actionable insights and promoting collaborative efforts for risk mitigation and sustainable planning, ultimately enhancing Kerala's resilience to monsoon-related challenges. The programme began with a welcome address by K. Rajendran, Director of ICCS, and was formally inaugurated by K. P. Sudheer, Ex Officio Principal Secretary, Science and Technology department, and executive vice-president, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Region-specific adaptation strategies and integrated water resources management need of the hour for tackling climate change in Kerala, says study
A new paper in the Journal of Environmental Management (Elsevier) has highlighted the need for region-specific adaptation strategies and integrated water resources management in Kerala for tackling climate change challenges. The paper, 'Climate warming modifies hydrological responses in the southern Western Ghats and the western coastal plains (India): Insights from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6-Variable Infiltration Capacity (CMIP6-VIC) simulations,' places special emphasis on Kerala. It observes that global warming could intensify the hydrological cycle across the study region, altering precipitation and temperature patterns, elevating the risk of floods, landslides and drought. Climate projections forecast an increase in temperature anomalies and extreme precipitation events (EPEs) during the monsoon season in future. Further, the region is projected to experience steadily increasing minimum and maximum temperatures throughout the 21st century at annual and seasonal scales under two shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP245 and SSP585) scenarios. The region is projected to experience up to a 20 % increase in annual precipitation, with EPEs potentially increasing by up to 16 %, it says. Integrated management of water resources is vital to ensure sustainable water availability, hydropower generation and farm productivity, it says. The study was carried out by a team from multiple institutions including those under Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Madras and Palakkad; National Institute of Technology, Warangal; Indian Institute of Human Settlements, Bengaluru, University of Mississippi, Pennsylvania State University and the Purdue University. The study was undertaken acknowledging the need for a region-specific assessment, especially in the context of the recurring disasters in Kerala, K.P. Sudheer, Executive Vice President, KSCSTE, and co-author of the paper, told The Hindu. In recent times, Kerala has experienced major disasters almost on a yearly basis, including the destructive floods of 2018 and 2019 and the 2024 Wayanad landslides. The paper notes that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events (EPE) pose significant challenges for society and planning engineers, particularly in the design of climate-resilient infrastructure. 'It is necessary to conduct thorough, scenario-based evaluations of potential future climate conditions to anticipate and mitigate unexpected consequences, including the elevated risk of flooding due to more frequent and severe EPEs. Incorporating climate change projections into the design of climate-resilient urban stormwater management infrastructure through rigorous modeling studies is also essential,' it says. The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kozhikode, and the Institute of Climate Change Studies, Kottayam, were the KSCSTE institutions involved in the study.
