Problems and Prospects of Agripreneurship in Kerala

Abstract

Kerala has long grappled with the persistent issues of unemployment and underemployment, particularly among its rural population. Traditional strategies have proven inadequate in addressing these challenges. In this context, agripreneurship presents a promising and sustainable alternative to reinvigorate the agricultural sector. It not only contributes to economic diversification but also plays a vital role in achieving self-sufficiency in food production and fostering rural development. The trend of farmers withdrawing from agriculture due to low profitability highlights the urgent need for innovative interventions in agribusiness. This study explores the potential of agripreneurship as a catalyst for enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability. It emphasizes the importance of promoting entrepreneurial skills among farmers, youth, and women in rural areas to ensure long-term economic resilience and inclusive growth. Agripreneurship is, therefore, positioned not just as an opportunity, but as a necessity for sustainable rural transformation and economic development.

Introduction

• Agriculture is a crucial sector in India's economy, employing over half the population.

• India is a global leader in the production of milk, pulses, spices, and many crops.

• Despite its potential, Indian agriculture faces issues like low productivity, high input costs, and lack of infrastructure (e.g., storage, supply chains).

2. Need for Agripreneurship

• To tackle rural unemployment and stagnant agricultural growth, entrepreneurship in agriculture (agripreneurship) is essential.

• Agripreneurship promotes self-employment, income generation, and technological innovation in farming.

• Entrepreneurial development equips individuals with technical, financial, and managerial skills to enhance agribusiness productivity.

3. Definition and Concept of Agripreneurship

• Agripreneurship = Agriculture + Entrepreneurship

• It involves setting up agribusinesses in farming and allied sectors.

• It’s crucial for bridging the urban-rural divide and promoting sustainable, community-oriented farming.

4. Roles and Benefits of Agripreneurship

• Increases rural employment and income.

• Supports food security, nutrition, and poverty alleviation.

• Encourages innovation, market integration, and sustainability in agriculture.

• Shifts focus from traditional farming to a more business-oriented agribusiness model.

5. Key Entrepreneurial Qualities and Skills

Successful agripreneurs possess:

• Leadership, creativity, goal orientation, and market knowledge.

• Technical and strategic planning capabilities.

• Skills in problem-solving, resource management, and value chain understanding.

6. Types of Agribusiness Enterprises

1. Farm-Level Producers – Individual family-based ventures.

2. Service Providers – Equipment rental, irrigation, veterinary services.

3. Input Producers – Bio-fertilizers, seeds, compost, tools.

4. Processing & Marketing Units – Cooperatives and enterprises for post-harvest handling and sales.

7. Role in the National Economy

• Contributes significantly to GDP (13.2%) and employment (58.4%).

• Enhances market access, reduces food cost, and improves food supply chain efficiency.

8. Agripreneurship Opportunities

• Scope in organic farming, cold chain logistics, food processing, agri-tech, vermicomposting, bio-inputs, horticulture, and poultry.

• Government support and rural innovations open new business avenues.

9. Prospects in Kerala

• Kerala shows potential in dairying, fisheries, floriculture, and nursery farming.

• Agro-enterprises include processing units, manufacturing units, service centres, and miscellaneous ventures like mushroom and bamboo cultivation.

10. Institutional Support & Programs

• Kerala Agricultural University launched Hitham Haritham, an online agripreneur training during COVID.

• MANAGE, Hyderabad conducts free training for agri-clinic and agribusiness setup.

• NABARD, STC, APMCs, and SAMB offer financial, marketing, and infrastructure support.

11. Schemes for Agripreneurs in Kerala

• Soft Loan Scheme by Kerala Startup Mission for women entrepreneurs.

• Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDC) promote startup culture in academic institutions.

• Innovation Grants help rural innovators turn ideas into ventures.

• Startup Communities Programs connect and support budding entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

From the last numerous years our state is continually battling with the issues of joblessness, underemployment, particularly among the rustic people also, sadly we have bombed in tending to these issues. It is accepted that agripreneurship advancement will support the economy to use the distinguished qualities and to accomplish enormous development in essential division and to contribute for provincial improvement. It encourages the economy to accomplish self - supportability in sustenance. In Kerala, farmers are withdrawing from their occupation since they consider farming as non-profitable to earn a living. Thus, there is a need for revolutionary changes in agricultural sector, especially in the field of agribusiness. Thereby, acceleration of rural development and economic development is possible. Harnessing the entrepreneurial skill of farmers, young people and women in the rural economy helps in promotion of agripreneurship. Agripreneurship is not only an opportunity but also a necessity for improving the production and profitability in agriculture and allied sector.

References

[1] Bairwa, S.L., Lakra, K., Kushwaha, S., Meena, L.K. and Kumar, P., 2014. Agripreneurship development as a tool to upliftment of agriculture. Int.J. of Sci. and Res.Publ.4(3), pp.1-4. [2] Carr, S. and Roulin, A., 2016. An Exploration Of Agripreneurship, Scope, Actors And Prospects. Agenda, 2063, 16p. [3] Chandran, R., & Sreedaya, G. (2019). Involvement of Farm Women Groups in the Planning, Production and Marketing Aspects of Vegetables in Kerala. Journal of Ext. Educ. 30(4):Available: https://doi.org/10.26725/JEE.2018.4.30.6173-6176[2-11-2022] [4] Choudhary, B.B., Sharma, P., Phand, S., Gupta, G. and Sharma, R.K., 2021. Agripreneurship Development on Value Added Fodder Products [E-book]. Hyderabad: Natl.Int.of Agric.Ext.Manag.and ICAR-Indian Grassl.and Fodd.Res.Int.Jhansi (UP). [5] De Mesa., M.C.M., Hwang, H.S., and Shin, D.H. 2022. Limiting Factors affecting the Value-Adding Capacity Of Young Agripreneurs in the Philippines. J. Of Int. Dev. Coop. 17(1): 47-72. [6] Feussi, P., 2017. Unpacking agripreneurship. Available at SSRN 2947103. [7] Gupta, K.B. and Gupta, L.B., A framework for identification of opportunities for agribusiness and agripreneurship in India.Kumar, P., 2020. Issues and Challenges in Agripreneurship. Available at SSRN 3531626.[3-10-2022] [8] Nagalakshmi, T. and Sudhakar, A. 2013. Agripreneurs: A Case Study Of Dharmapuri Farmers. Int J. Of Sci. And Res. 2(8): 208-214. [9] Nwachukwu, D. and Nwadighoha, E.E., Agripreneurship Marketing and Economic Recovery in Post COVID-19 Era in Ikwerre LGA in Rivers State. Int. Academic J. of Business Syst. & Econ. 8(1): 13-27. [10] Pandey, G. 2013. Agripreneurship Education And Development: Need Of The Day. Asian Resonance. 2(4): 155-157. [11] Parmar, G.R. and Rathod, R.M. An Empirical study On Agripreneurship Intentions among agriculture Students. 2019. An Int Peer Reviewed Res. J :7(1) 110-116. [12] Ravikishore, M. and Puram, S. 2017. Agripreneurship - Prospects and Retrospects. A J. of Agric and Rural Dev.44(5): 55-58. [13] Renjini, M. U., and T. Radha. (2019). A Study on the Involvement of Farmers in Agripreneurship in Kerala. J. of Ext. Educ 31(1): 118-120. [14] Salam, A. 1995. Small Scale Industries In Kerala Since 1956 An Annotated Bibliography Master Of Library Science 1985-86. [online] Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144511868.pdf. [06-11-2022] [15] Sharma, A. 2007. The Changing Agricultural Demography Of India: Evidence From A Rural Youth Perception Survey. Int J. Of Rural Manag, 3(1): 27-41. [16] Singh, A.P., 2013. Strategies for developing agripreneurship among farming community in Uttar Pradesh, India. ACADEMICIA: An Int Multidisciplinary Res J, 3(11): 1-12. [17] Sundaran, Suma Rose, and G. S. Sreedaya. (2016).Performance Analysis of Self Help Groups on Farm Entrepreneurship in Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala..J. of Ext. Educ.28(1): 2-4. [18] Tekale, V & Gomase, Anil. (2022). Agripreneurship behaviour of floriculturists: nagpur district of vidarbha. [19] Thomas, S. and Zacharias, S., 2020. Perception of youth towards agripreneurship with reference to Kottayam District. A glob. J. of Social Sci. 31(4): 1-3. [20] Uplaonkar, S.S. and Biradar, S.S., 2015. Development of agriculture in India through agripreneurs. Int J of Appl Res, 1(9):1063-1066. [21] Verma, R.K., Sahoo, A.K. and Rakshit, S., 2017. Opportunities in agripreneurship in India: need challenges and future prospects.. Int J of Scientific and Res Publ, 4(3):1-4

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Niranjana Unni, Balasree R. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.