M Vasanthagesan IRS, Executive Director, Rubber Board, and P Vishnuraj IAS, Additional Project Director of the KERA Project and Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce, handing over the signed MoU for the implementation of the KERA Project. Siju T, Rubber Production Commissioner (left), and Shyam Krishnan, Deputy Director Industries (right), are present.

The Rubber Board has entered into a Memorandum of Association (MoU) with the Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers' Welfare for the implementation of the 'Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization' (KERA) project. This World Bank-supported initiative, spanning 2025 to 2029, aims to strengthen climate resilience and productivity in rubber and cardamom cultivation across Kerala.

The signing ceremony, held at the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kottayam, saw Rubber Board Executive Director M Vasanthagesan (IRS) and Additional Project Director of KERA P Vishnuraj (IAS) formalise the partnership. A parallel agreement was signed with the Spices Board, represented by Director Dr Rema Shree A B, marking a collaborative effort to modernise Kerala's agricultural value chains. The event also featured the launch of a specialised training programme for officials involved in project implementation.

Under the KERA scheme, rubber farmers across six districts, namely Kottayam, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Kannur, Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram, will receive financial support of INR 75,000 per hectare for up to two hectares. Cardamom cultivators in Idukki district will benefit from enhanced assistance of INR 100,000 per hectare, similarly capped at two hectares per farmer. This financial intervention is designed to promote sustainable farming practices and improve climate adaptation capabilities.

The ceremony featured addresses from several key officials, including Rubber Production Commissioner Dr Siju T and Spices Board Director Dr Rema Shree A.B., who emphasised the project's potential to transform agricultural practices while addressing climate challenges. Dharmendra Das, Director Development in-charge of the Spices Board, highlighted the long-term advantages of adopting climate-resilient techniques. The proceedings commenced with a welcome address by Suresh C, KERA Procurement Officer, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shylaja K, Joint Rubber Production Commissioner.

The KERA project represents a significant step forward in Kerala's agricultural development, combining financial support with technical expertise to create more sustainable and productive farming systems. By focusing on two of the state's key crops, the initiative aims to establish a model for climate-resilient agriculture that could potentially be replicated across other regions and commodities.

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