Performance Analysis of Agri-enterprises Facilitated through KAU-Agri Business Incubators
Binuja Thomas
*
Department of Processing and Food Engineering, Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, 679573, India.
K. P. Sudheer
Department of Agricultural Engineering and Head, RAFTAAR Agri Business Incubator, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur-680656, India.
Binoo P. Bonny
Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur-680656, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Vocal for local’ the slogan for Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan accentuate self reliance by bringing the local products to the global arena. Indian agrarian sector provide huge scope for demand driven agricultural research in this context. Agri Business Incubation centres institutionalised by ICAR envisage product development, promulgation of IP protection and technology commercialisation. Each of these centres focus to reinforce the linkage between the research institutes and industries in their mandated areas. Accordingly, the network of Agri Business Incubators(ABI) established by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) covers diverse crops under the agriculture sector with special emphasis on value addition and market linkage. The present paper depicts the agribusiness ecosystem of Kerala in general and the role of KAU-ABI in reviving the ecosystem in particular. The beneficiaries who were facilitated through KAU-ABI during 2017-2020 were selected for the analysis. Primary and secondary data were collected and ex-post facto research design based on purposive sampling was followed. Performance indicators such as preference for training, extent of support received, transfer of technology, legitimisation and upgradation of the enterprises were selected for the analysis. The results indicated that KAU-ABI strengthened the linkage between entrepreneurs, various facilitators and key investors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It also created entry points in the agricultural value chains to accelerate economic growth for the agripreneurs.
Keywords: Agripreneurship, ecosystem, agribusiness incubation, preference index, technology transfer