Mangaluru: Kerala govt, with support from World Bank under Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation (KERA) project, is launching an initiative to build strong alliances between Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and leading agri-businesses.Suresh C Thampi, deputy director, agriculture department, Kerala, and procurement officer for KERA, told reporters Thursday that farm- and non-farm-based companies, supermarket chains, exporters, and e-commerce platforms are invited to apply.He said the initiative aims to create sustainable linkages that connect Kerala’s premium agricultural produce to local, national, and international markets, ensuring farmers receive better prices and secure market access. The programme will form 150 Productive Alliances (PAs) across three regions in three phases. The first phase will cover 50 alliances in the northern districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram.The KERA project, funded by World Bank with a budget of Rs 2,365 crore, seeks to modernise Kerala’s agricultural sector by building climate resilience, promoting sustainable practices, and improving market access for farmers and agri-MSMEs. Eligible companies will receive grants of up to 60% of the total alliance cost (maximum Rs 2 crore) for production investment and business development, along with three years of expert technical assistance.Companies with a minimum annual turnover of Rs 10 crore and a proven commitment to working with Kerala’s farmer communities are invited to participate. FPCs with at least two years of experience, 200 members, and a turnover of Rs 10 lakh may also apply.“This gives an opportunity to get traceable and geo-tagged products of Kerala. There is business opportunity for traditional fruits like banana, jackfruit, pineapple, avocado, and exotic fruits such as mangosteen and rambutan, and by-products from nutmeg apple, banana flour, tender jackfruit, honey, herbal drinks, spices, and so on,” he said, adding that interested companies must submit their applications through the official portal.
