Latest news with #KERA
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
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KAU, KERA sign MoU for implementing climate-smart farming practices in Kerala
The Kerala Climate Resilient Agri Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for jointly implementing climate-smart and low-emission farming practices in the State. The Agriculture department has described it as a major step towards building climate resilience in Kerala's agriculture sector. Vishnu Raj, additional project director, KERA, and KAU registrar A. Sakeer Husain signed the MoU in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. 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 upgrade soil testing laboratories, modernise advisory systems, and pilot low-carbon paddy cultivation techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in priority districts,' it said. Mr. Vishnu Raj said that by combining KAU's scientific expertise with KERA's development mandate, the State we can accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices and improve livelihoods. Under the partnership, the Kerala Agro Climate Research Centre (KACRC) will be established at KAU with the support of IT cell of the Agriculture department. The partnership also aims to strengthen the development of climate-smart crop advisories and support research and capacity building for farmers and agricultural extension workers. The World Bank-supported KERA project is a five-year programme aimed at modernising agricultural value chains and enhancing the State's preparedness for climate-induced risks. K.N. Anith, Director of Research, KAU, and other senior officials were present at the signing of the MoU.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala government signs pact with International Rice Research Institute to promote low-emission rice cultivation
The Kerala government has signed an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to promote low-emission rice cultivation in the State. The initiative is part of the World Bank-supported Kerala Climate Resilient Agriculture Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA). The Agriculture department described the agreement as a 'landmark' initiative aimed at promoting climate smart agriculture in the State. The agreement was signed by Vishnuraj P., Additional Project Director, KERA, and Virender Kumar, Research Director, Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS), IRRI on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram. With Palakkad and Thrissur as focus areas, the collaboration will focus on developing Low Emission Packages (LEPs), promoting digital water management systems and introducing farmer-centric solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water-use efficiency, and enhance agricultural livelihoods. Across 22,000 hectares The project will be implemented across 22,000 hectares, targeting 45,000 farmers in major rice-producing zones, including Palakkad's canal-irrigated uplands and Thrissur's kole wetlands. 'These regions are significant contributors to methane emissions in Kerala's agricultural landscape. The project introduces Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation techniques, digital monitoring, and sustainable agronomic practices to help transition to low-emission rice systems,' the Agriculture department said in a statement. The partnership includes key institutions such as the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) and Paadasekhara Samitis. 'The IRRI's water-saving interventions are pivotal in enhancing water utility without compromising crop productivity. These sustainable technologies also pave the way for future participation in carbon trading mechanisms,' said Mr. Vishnuraj.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Kerala Startup Mission signs agreement to support agri tech startups and farmers
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) has inked a performance-based condition (PBC) agreement with agriculture department's KERA project to provide innovative solutions tailored to the needs of local farmers and agri-food enterprises. Under this PBC agreement, KSUM will select 150 agri-tech startups across the state to address specific challenges. This is intended to benefit at least 40,000 farmers. KERA is a World Bank-funded project under investment project financing for the agriculture sector of the state. The PBC framework represents an innovative, results-driven approach to funding allocation. In this model, funds or payments to the implementing agency are disbursed only after achieving predefined results. KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika said that this performance-oriented strategy not only encourages optimal performance but also allows the implementing agency considerable autonomy in how to utilise funds to meet set targets. It promotes greater accountability by directing resources to frontline operations, enabling decision-making and strategic resource allocation based on real-time performance indicators. Selected startups will receive a grant of Rs 25 lakh each. An initial grant of Rs 20 lakh will be allocated for product development (PBC1), which covers idea development (innovation/seed fund), research and development, product testing, technology commercialisation, production, scaling up existing facilities, working capital for business operations and other related activities. The subsequent grant of Rs 5 lakh will support product adoption by end users (PBC2), addressing product demonstration, market testing, pilot product launch, sales and marketing and other related activities.
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Corsair Signs Strategic Partnership with Kera Energy for Global Distribution of Pyrolysis Oil
New partnership expands global access to Corsair's recycled plastic oil across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Plastic waste recycling company Corsair Group International Holding BV (CORSAIR) is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with KERA Energy AG, a Swiss-based leader in sustainable industrial value chains. Under the agreement, CORSAIR will supply advanced pyrolysis oil to KERA Energy , which will distribute the Plastic Pyrolysis Oil (PPO) across key markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This collaboration marks another important step in CORSAIR's mission to scale up sustainable advanced recycling of plastic waste . The agreement with KERA Energy signals growing international demand for CORSAIR's high-quality pyrolysis oil derived from everyday household plastic waste. 'We are very pleased to partner with KERA Energy, a company that shares our vision of a cleaner, circular economy,' said Jussi Veikko Saloranta, CEO of CORSAIR. 'KERA's extensive expertise and market access will allow us to accelerate our environmental impact and expand our reach globally.' Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, KERA Energy AG specializes in the optimization of supply chains and the commercialization of sustainable raw materials such as plastic pyrolysis oil (PPO) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO). With a processing capacity of up to 300,000 tons per year and compliance with ISCC+ and REACH regulations, KERA is at the forefront of enabling circular and bio-based feedstock solutions for the chemical and refining industries. 'We are proud to partner with CORSAIR as we jointly work to eliminate plastic waste from our environment,' said Shane Perl, CEO of KERA Energy. By utilizing CORSAIR's pyrolysis oil, produced from mixed plastic household waste at facilities in Thailand, Finland and its future facilities, KERA will support the production of new, sustainable plastics and chemicals, reducing dependency on fossil-based virgin feedstocks, diverting plastic waste destined for landfill or incineration and contributing to a closed-loop system for plastic materials. 'We work with pyrolysis companies from concept to technical development and on to commercially optimizing their circular and bio-based oil products.' Simon Housecraft, Head of Sustainable Materials at KERA, states: 'We are committed to building a bridge between environmental goals and industrial performance, and this partnership with CORSAIR embodies that commitment. We believe CORSAIR will remain one of the global leaders within this market sector with ambitious but, realistic expansion plans. As a partnership, we believe we can successfully deliver circularity to our market sector' With this new alliance, CORSAIR strengthens its role as the fastest growing company in advanced plastic recycling and takes another key step toward a world where waste is transformed into valuable resources for the future . For more information, please visit Contact Info mail: info@ phone: +66 957 613 702 SOURCE: Corsair group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
