The State government is preparing to give a big push to processing and value addition of agricultural crops and promotion of organic produce.
The VAIGA (Value Addition for Income Generation in Agriculture) international workshop and exhibition, to be hosted by the Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikara, Thrissur, would seek to create an ecosystem for farmers and young entrepreneurs, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said in a press note.
Pointing out that not even 10% of the agricultural produce in Kerala was currently undergoing processing and value addition, he stressed the need to tap the immense possibilities in the sector.
“Based on the discussion in VAIGA 2016, the Agriculture Department had set up agro parks for special agricultural products, established specialised incubation hubs for processing of agricultural products, and promoted the cultivation of millets and medicinal plants.”
VAIGA 2017, the pressnote said, would provide a platform for farmers, technologists, researchers, master trainers and entrepreneurs to address the problems plaguing the agricultural sectors.
The workshop will focus mainly on honey, banana, millets and coconut.
Experts and farmers from countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Malaysia are expected to participate in the event.
Source:http://www.thehindu.com/
