‘Udhayam’ agri-entrepreneurship meet unfolded at the sprawling grounds of the Kozhikode Beach Exhibition Centre. This vibrant event attracted thousands of farmers, agri-startup enthusiasts, students, and local business leaders, marking it as one of the biggest farming events in Kozhikode 2026. Organized by the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in collaboration with the District Panchayat and local farmer cooperatives, ‘Udhayam’—meaning “dawn” in Malayalam—signaled a new sunrise for sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship in Kerala. From keynote speeches by top agronomists to hands-on workshops on organic farming, the meet showcased innovative solutions tailored to Kozhikode’s fertile lands and coastal climate.
The Udhayam agri-entrepreneurship meet Kozhikode was a full-day powerhouse of knowledge-sharing, networking, and business matchmaking. Kicking off at 9 AM with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by District Collector Dr. Byju Driscoll, the event drew over 5,000 attendees despite the light drizzles typical of Kozhikode’s February weather.
At its core, ‘Udhayam’ aimed to empower small-scale farmers and young entrepreneurs with tools for modern agri-business. Themes included precision farming, agro-tourism, value-added products from local crops like banana and coconut, and climate-resilient techniques suited to Kerala’s monsoon-heavy conditions. Stalls brimmed with live demos: drone-based crop monitoring, hydroponic setups using Malabar spinach, and even AI apps for predicting pest outbreaks in paddy fields.
Local farmers from Vadakara and Koyilandy shared success stories, turning heads with their jackfruit processing units that export chips to Middle Eastern markets. The crowd’s energy was palpable—families picnicked under shamiana tents, kids marveled at robotic harvesters, and entrepreneurs sealed on-the-spot deals.
Interactive Workshops That Stole the Show
- Organic Certification Bootcamp: Experts from APEDA guided 500+ farmers on exporting GIs like Palakkadan Matta rice.
- Drone and IoT Demo: A live flight over mock fields showed real-time soil moisture mapping—perfect for Kozhikode’s waterlogged soils.
- Agri-Tourism Pitch: Case studies from Wayanad resorts inspired locals to convert unused farmland into homestays.
Read more at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/udhayam-agri-entrepreneurship-meet-draws-huge-crowd/article70595625.ece