The Kerala government has announced a series of new policies and schemes aimed at strengthening the state’s agricultural sector and improving the lives of farmers. Chief Minister V D Satheesan has placed agriculture among the key priorities of his government, with a focus on better farm incomes, modern farming methods, market access and protection from wildlife attacks.
The government’s agriculture roadmap formed part of the policy address delivered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar during the first session of the 16th Kerala Assembly. The proposals seek to address several challenges facing farmers, including rising input costs, unstable crop prices, climate change, fragmented landholdings and human-wildlife conflict.
The government also plans to give women a larger role in agriculture and introduce new systems for soil testing, crop marketing and spice production. These measures aim to make farming more profitable and attractive to younger generations.
Agriculture Becomes a Major Government Priority
The new UDF government has identified agriculture as an important area for economic and rural development. Kerala’s farmers face several difficulties that affect their income and productivity.
Rising costs of seeds, fertilisers and other inputs have increased the financial pressure on farmers. Price fluctuations also make it difficult for them to predict their earnings. Climate-related disasters and wildlife attacks add another layer of uncertainty.
The government wants to address these issues through a combination of financial support, modern technology and better market systems. Its stated goal is not only to protect existing farmers but also to make agriculture a more viable profession for future generations.
Focus on Better Farm Income
Improving farmers’ income remains one of the central objectives of the new agricultural approach.
The government plans to strengthen price-support mechanisms and improve marketing opportunities for agricultural products. Kerala’s State Agricultural Prices Board already monitors market prices and recommends support measures for major crops. It also studies production costs and market trends to help frame agricultural price policies.
Better market access can help farmers receive a larger share of the final consumer price. The government also wants to strengthen procurement systems and encourage value addition.
This approach could benefit farmers who currently depend heavily on intermediaries to sell their produce.
Women Farmers to Get Greater Support
One of the major announcements involves the creation of a Women Farmers Consortium.
The government plans to identify existing and potential women farmers in every panchayat. It will then connect them through a structured programme covering production, processing and distribution.
The consortium aims to bring together lakhs of individual women farmers and women-led collectives. The government also plans special schemes for women involved in paddy cultivation, vegetable farming, fruit cultivation, pulses, tuber crops, mushroom cultivation and beekeeping.
The initiative could give women greater access to training, markets and agricultural resources. It also recognises the important role women already play in Kerala’s rural economy.
New Soil-Testing Policy Planned
The government also plans to introduce a comprehensive soil-testing policy.
Under the proposed system, Kerala will establish a soil-testing register. The government wants farmers to receive better information about the condition and nutrient requirements of their land.
Scientific soil testing can help farmers choose suitable crops and apply fertilisers more efficiently. It can also reduce unnecessary input costs and improve productivity.
The policy forms part of the government’s wider plan to modernise agriculture and encourage scientific farming practices.
Agriculture to Get More Technology
The government wants technology to play a bigger role in Kerala’s agricultural sector.
It plans to strengthen the Agri Stack project and complete digital crop surveys in all digitised villages. The government also plans to establish a digital marketing platform.
These systems could help improve agricultural data and provide greater transparency in the marketing process. Digital tools can also help authorities identify farmers, monitor crops and design targeted schemes.
The government believes better data can improve decision-making and help farmers receive appropriate support.
Kerala Plans to Strengthen Spice Farming
Spices remain an important part of Kerala’s agricultural economy. The government plans to strengthen spice-development initiatives through area-specific programmes.
The proposed programmes will focus on export-oriented spice production. The government also plans to promote spice parks and procurement hubs through public-private partnerships.
Such infrastructure could help farmers improve production while connecting them with larger domestic and international markets.
The government also wants to promote Kerala’s geographical indication-tagged agricultural products. Better branding and marketing could increase the value of these products and create new income opportunities for farmers.
Human-Wildlife Conflict Remains a Major Concern
Farmers in Kerala’s high-range areas often face serious problems from wildlife attacks. Wild animals can damage crops and threaten the lives of people living near forests.
The new government has promised stronger compensation mechanisms and better preventive measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
The policy approach recognises that farmers need protection while the state also has a responsibility to preserve forests and biodiversity. The government therefore wants to find a balance between environmental protection and the safety of farming communities.
The issue has become particularly important in Kerala’s high-range districts, where repeated wildlife incursions have affected farming households.
Land Security for Farmers
The government also plans changes in land-related policies.
It has proposed revising existing land laws and introducing “unconditional title deeds” or pattayams as a permanent solution to concerns over eviction attempts against farmers on technical grounds.
The government also plans to scientifically modify land-use restrictions in plantation areas. The aim is to allow greater diversification while protecting the ecological character of plantations.
It has further proposed a comprehensive revision of the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008.
These measures could have a significant impact on farmers who face uncertainty over land ownership and permitted land use.
Focus on Modern and Sustainable Farming
The government wants Kerala’s agricultural sector to move towards more modern and sustainable practices.
Organic farming, vegetable cultivation, coconut production and food security initiatives will receive greater attention. The government also plans to encourage agriculture-related technology and entrepreneurship among young people.
This approach could create new opportunities beyond traditional cultivation. Young entrepreneurs could enter areas such as food processing, agricultural technology, packaging and marketing.
Value addition can also help farmers earn more from their produce instead of selling raw commodities at low prices.
Market Access and Value Addition
Improving production alone cannot guarantee higher farm incomes. Farmers also need reliable markets.
The government’s proposed digital marketing platform, procurement hubs and programmes for GI-tagged products aim to address this challenge.
Processing agricultural products before selling them can also increase their value. For example, farmers can earn more when crops enter organised processing, packaging and branding networks.
The government therefore wants to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain, from cultivation to marketing.
A Farmer-Centred Agricultural Roadmap
The Kerala government’s new agriculture agenda combines several areas of support. These include better prices, modern technology, soil testing, digital crop surveys, stronger markets and protection from wildlife.
The proposed Women Farmers Consortium adds another important dimension by bringing more women into organised agricultural production and marketing.
The government also wants to provide farmers with greater land security and encourage diversification in the plantation sector. These measures aim to address both immediate problems and long-term structural challenges.
For Kerala, the larger objective is to make farming more profitable and sustainable. The government wants agriculture to become a profession that can attract younger people instead of becoming increasingly dependent on an ageing farming population.
Kerala Looks to Build a Stronger Farming Sector
The Kerala farmer welfare schemes 2026 agenda reflects the new government’s attempt to combine farmer welfare with agricultural reform.
The proposals cover income support, market access, technology, soil health, women farmers, spices, land rights and wildlife protection. Together, they seek to address some of the biggest challenges facing Kerala’s farming communities.
The success of these measures will depend on implementation. Farmers will need timely access to schemes, transparent procedures and effective support at the local level.
If the government delivers these initiatives as planned, Kerala could strengthen its agricultural value chains while creating better opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
The new approach ultimately aims to ensure that farming remains economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially valuable for the next generation of Kerala farmers.