Kerala invites agri-businesses to partner with farmers under KERA Project

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has invited agri-business companies to partner with Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) under the World Bank-assisted Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) project to strengthen market linkages for farmers.

The initiative, titled Productive Alliances (PA), aims to create structured and sustainable partnerships between farmer collectives and leading agri-based and allied enterprises, including food processing units, supermarket chains, exporters, and e-commerce platforms. The goal is to connect Kerala’s premium agricultural produce to local, national, and international markets, ensuring better price realisation and assured market access for farmers.

As part of the programme, 150 Productive Alliances will be established across the State in three phases. The first phase will roll out 50 alliances in the northern districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Malappuram.

Under the KERA project, eligible companies can avail grant support of up to 60% of the total alliance cost, capped at ₹2 crore, for production investments and business development activities. In addition, participating alliances will receive three years of expert technical assistance to support implementation and long-term sustainability.

Companies applying for the scheme must have a minimum annual turnover of ₹10 crore and demonstrate a proven commitment to working with farmer communities in Kerala, officials said.

Interested companies can submit applications through the official portal https://pa.kera.kerala.gov.in/auth/login on or before December 31, 2025. For further details, applicants may contact +91 90378 24038. 

The initiative is expected to play a key role in modernising agri-value chains in Kerala while improving farm incomes and promoting climate-resilient agriculture.