AgriNext Startup workshop to address farmers’ issues

Kochi: As part of an effort to find solutions to daily challenges faced by farming community in Kerala with the support of modern technology, AgriNext Startup problem-solving workshop was held in Ernakulam on Monday. Workshop was organised as part of KERA project implemented by agriculture department with the assistance of World Bank. It became a platform where farmers, representatives of farmer producer companies, researchers, entrepreneurs, startup owners and officials gathered to share ideas, bringing new hope to agricultural sector.Core aim of the workshop was to identify real problems faced by farmers, compile them into a unified digital database and develop technical solutions with the help of available startups. This database will serve as an authoritative source of information in the future for entrepreneurs and researchers to design new products and technological systems. It is being set up under Agri Tech Startup section of KERA project.Farmer representatives raised diverse issues, such as wildlife conflict, storage and marketing of agricultural products, processing and value addition of crops, challenges in pineapple, rubber and nutmeg cultivation, labour shortage, impact of climate change and pest diagnosis. Suitable innovative ideas to address these problems can be submitted by startups. Best ideas will be incorporated into KERA project, ensuring funding through Kerala Startup Mission. This is the fifth workshop of its kind conducted in the state.