Latest news with #KAU
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Agriculture department ‘slow', won't score higher than ‘six' for speed: B. Ashok
Describing the Agriculture department as a 'slow' government department, B. Ashok, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) and Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), said on Wednesday that it needed to increase speed in the implementation process. Compared to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) where he was previously the Chairman and Managing Director, the Agriculture department was quite slow-paced and would score no higher than six on a scale for speed, Mr. Ashok said. He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop organised by the Agriculture department on the World Bank-aided Kerala Climate Resilient Agri Value-Chain Modernisation Project (KERA). If the transmission wing of the KSEB gets 8.5 marks for speed, the Agriculture department would score only six. It is a matter of institutional culture, Mr. Ashok, who is also the Project Director of KERA and the State Agriculture Production Commissioner, said. Ironically, Mr. Ashok's tenure as teh KSEB CMD had been marked by protracted stand-offs with the KSEB employees' unions. He said he would still give 'huge credit' to the KSEB for being 'very strong implementers.' Mr. Ashok said the World Bank-aided KERA project offered ample opportunities for the department staff to develop skill-sets and create results in the State's farming sector. He lauded the KERA team for speedy organisation of the programme whose five-year term starts in November this year. He also underscored the need for speed in the implementation of projects and decision-making at the KAU. The workshop was attended by staff of the departments of Agriculture, Industries, Soil Survey and Soil Conservation, the State Planning Board, KAU, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam, Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, and Kerala Startup Mission. Nagesh Kumar Anumala, Chief General Manager, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Kerala Region, presided. Sushil Kumar, General Manager, State Bank of India and KAU dean Roy Stephen spoke.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology researchers gear up to study seeds that were sent to space
With Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the rest of the Axiom-4 crew expected back on earth on Tuesday, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) here is preparing for post-flight field studies using the crop seeds that were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the high-profile mission. Post-flight studies will be conducted in collaboration with the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), which released the seeds for the project, according to IIST sources. Seeds of Jyothi and Uma rice varieties, Kanakamani (horse gram), Vellayani Vijay (tomato), Thilakathara (sesame) and Soorya (brinjal/eggplant) were sent to the ISS under the 'Crop Seeds on ISS', a project spearheaded by the IIST's Space Biology Lab. The IIST officials said they expected the seeds to reach Thiruvananthapuram within a few days. The biology payload consisted of dry seeds that were packed and exposed to microgravity conditions on the ISS and returned to earth. Back on earth, the space-returned samples will be grown to assess the unique effects of microgravity on growth and yield parameters and how it will be manifested in growth. Comparative studies will be carried out using three sets of samples under different conditions. The 'Crop Seeds on ISS' project was the result of multi-level memorandums of understanding between the ISRO and the European Space Agency, the ISRO's Human Spaceflight Centre (HSFC) and the IIST, and the IIST and the KAU. IIST Vice- Chancellor Dipankar Banerjee and HSFC Director D.K. Singh had inked an MoU in this regard in May. K.G. Sreejalakshmi, Professor, IIST, is the Principal Investigator of the project.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- 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.
United News of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
World Bank supports KERA to revitalise agricultural value chain
Thiruvananthapurm, July 8 (UNI) The World Bank is supporting a five-year project called the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA). This project will focus on revitalising agricultural value chains and enhancing Kerala's preparedness against natural calamities. To promote climate-resilient agriculture in Kerala, an MoU has been signed between the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and KERA aiming to develop climate-resilient farming practices across the state's diverse agro-ecological zones, a release said. The MoU was signed by KERA Additional Project Director Vishnu Raj and KAU Registrar Dr. A. Zakir Hussain. 'This collaboration marks a crucial milestone in Kerala's efforts to build future-ready, climate-resilient agriculture,' said Project Director Vishnu Raj. KERA and KAU will work together to develop and promote climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) practices across Kerala's diverse agro-ecological zones, the department said. The partnership aims to modernise soil testing laboratories, upgrade agricultural advisory systems, and pilot low-carbon rice farming technologies like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in priority districts. The partnership will also facilitate the establishment of the Kerala Agro Climate Research Centre (KACRC) at the Agricultural University. This initiative will strengthen climate-smart agricultural practices and promote advanced agricultural research. UNI DS AAB ARN
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Agriculture college to host TEDx event today
T'puram: College of Agriculture, Vellayani, under Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), is hosting a TEDx event on Tuesday. The event will bring together a distinguished line up of speakers from public administration, defence, healthcare, entrepreneurship and social impact. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event will be inaugurated by KAU vice-chancellor B Ashok. Allen Thomas, head of the department of agricultural extension education and Roy Stephen, professor and dean, will also be present. Notably, KAU is one of only three educational institutions in Kerala to receive a licence from TEDx for the year 2025. Vellayani agriculture college is the pioneer institute hosting TEDx under the university. TEDx, known globally for 'ideas worth spreading', aims to spark meaningful conversations and inspire action through the stories and experiences shared by its speakers. TNN
