Kerala to host Global Agro Meet in November

Thiruvananthapuram, July 23 (IANS) Kerala will host a Global Agro meet and an exhibition on hi-tech agriculture and food processing at Kochi November 6-7, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Wednesday.

This will be one of the biggest events to showcase value-added agriculture and food processing products and technologies, said Chandy while releasing the logo of the event.

Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) will be the nodal agency for the meet, being organised in association with the department of agriculture, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the International Competency Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA).

Food accounts for nearly 55 percent of exports from Kerala.

Kerala produces 97 per cent of country's pepper, 70 per cent of cocoa and 25 per cent of coffee.

Also 16 per cent of cashews and about 42 per cent of coconuts in the country come from Kerala.

"The potential in this sector is immense and through this event we expect to provide fresh opportunities for our farmers besides showcasing the latest farming and agriculture equipment," said Chandy.

Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan said that this event would help in equipping our farmers with the latest developments in the farming and agriculture sector.

Value-added agriculture and food processing are regarded as sun-rise sector of Kerala economy in view of their large potential for economic growth. Combining these advantages together, the Global Agro Meet will bring all stakeholders on a single platform.

There will be special sessions on value-added products with a focus on pineapple, spices, coconut products, processed food, dairy, poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry and horticulture.

This event will be held along with "BIOFACH INDIA -2014", which offers the organic food industry the world over to look for investments here.