State records 4.65% growth against national average of 2.15%
Kerala’s agriculture sector is on a strong growth trajectory, achieving more than double the national average, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Sunday. He was addressing the State-level Farmers’ Day celebrations and virtually presenting the Kerala State Farmer Awards.
“While India’s agriculture grew at 2.15% last fiscal, Kerala registered 4.65%,” the Chief Minister said. “This progress is the outcome of focused interventions such as Mission 2026 for immediate goals and Mission 2033 for long-term development.”
Agricultural Achievements
The Chief Minister highlighted several milestones:
Paddy productivity has risen to 3,108 kg per hectare.
Coconut farming under the Keragramam project expanded by 54%.
Coconut procurement climbed from 6.28 lakh tonnes to 17.20 lakh tonnes during the government’s tenure.
Tackling Climate Risks
Acknowledging challenges such as climate change, market instability, and wild animal attacks, Mr. Vijayan announced the ₹2,365-crore World Bank–assisted KERA project—the largest agricultural project supported by the World Bank in 40 years. It will directly benefit four lakh farmers and indirectly support ten lakh more.
He stressed the importance of adapting crop calendars to changing weather patterns and embracing innovation. “Kerala is home to more than 150 agri-tech start-ups. Our ‘One Krishi Bhavan, One Value-Added Product’ initiative has successfully turned over 200 farm products into branded, market-ready items,” he said.
On the wild animal issue, he noted that State-level action alone is insufficient and called for timely amendments to Central laws. Meanwhile, Kerala has launched its own projects to tackle the problem while promoting a blend of traditional practices and modern methods for sustainable farming.
Farmers as Society’s Backbone
Presiding over the function, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad described Farmers’ Day as “a day dedicated to the backbone of society.” He emphasized the role of technology in modern agriculture, citing drone-based seeding that has cut seed use by 40% while boosting yields.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan honoured senior farmer Joseph Pallan and farm worker Sangeetha A.R., calling farmers “Kerala’s true brand ambassadors.” He noted that projects worth over ₹2,000 crore are underway to address climate-related challenges.
Higher Education Minister R. Bindu released Harithagatha, a book documenting the success stories of award-winning farmers, and praised government efforts to improve infrastructure through smart Krishi Bhavans and integrated farm projects.
The celebrations concluded with the presentation of State Farmer Awards and a farmers’ rally, which began at Students’ Corner in Thrissur earlier in the day.