The bustling town of Kalamassery is once again in the spotlight as it hosts the third edition of the Kalamassery Agricultural Festival (Karshikotsavam), being held from August 26 to September 2, 2025, at Chakkolas Ground, Ernakulam. More than just a celebration, this festival is an inspiring convergence of agriculture, industry, innovation, culture, and community spirit—a platform where tradition meets progress and grassroots enterprise connects with modern development.
Krishikkoppam Kalamassery: Reviving Agriculture, Empowering Farmers
At a time when Kerala heavily relies on imported farm produce of uncertain quality, Kalamassery is rewriting the agricultural story through its visionary initiative, Krishikkoppam Kalamassery. The project aims to utilise every inch of barren land for cultivation, while supporting farmers at every step—from seed purchase to production, value addition, and direct market access.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the upcoming Farm-to-Kitchen project, which ensures pesticide-free food for consumers and fair prices for farmers. Already, over 1,000 acres of land have been brought under rice cultivation and another 1,200 acres under vegetables, reflecting the project’s early success. Soon, cold-storage facilities and a streamlined supply chain will enable direct delivery of fresh produce to homes, flats, and housing colonies.
In collaboration with 17 Primary Agricultural Credit (PAC) societies, the project has also ventured into value-added products like mushroom powder, sweet potato flour, arrowroot chips, and jaggery. Processing units run by local PACs are reviving traditional products such as the once-famous Alangad jaggery, while also exploring new markets for mushrooms, tapioca, and bananas.
What makes Krishikkoppam Kalamassery remarkable is its coordinated, apolitical approach. Supported by panchayats, Kudumbashree, MGNREGA, irrigation, and revenue departments, the project has already formed 159 self-help groups (SHGs) with over 4,000 farmers actively engaged.
With over 5 lakh banana plants thriving, canal systems revived, and modern soil-testing units planned, this initiative is more than a farming project—it is a silent revolution, restoring pride in agriculture while securing a healthier, sustainable future for the community.
A Vision Rooted in Progress
In the run-up to the festival, Industries Minister P Rajeev held a special session with entrepreneurs and local business leaders. Minister Rajeeve emphasised the state’s strategic push to blend agriculture and industry, ensuring that farming communities and small enterprises grow hand-in-hand with industrial advancement.
This approach reflects a larger vision for Kerala—where agriculture is not left behind in the age of industrialization but instead redefined as an engine of innovation, sustainability, and local prosperity.
Dignitaries at the event included O.R. Kelu, Minister for Welfare of SC/ST and Backward Classes; Mohammed Hanish APM IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries; Najeeb P.A., GM, District Industries Centre, Ernakulam; and A. Nizarudeen, State President, KSSIA, Kerala.
Celebrating Local Enterprise and Collective Effort
One of the festival’s early highlights has been the expo of local entrepreneurs, who showcased innovative, village-made products—a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of small businesses in the region. Another unique attraction came from co-operative societies and banks in Elanad and Kalamassery, which presented revenue-generating projects designed to empower communities, demonstrate the strength of collective effort, and create models for sustainable rural development.
This reflects the true essence of Karshikotsavam: not just an exhibition of goods, but a showcase of shared dreams, innovation, and collective resilience.
A Grand Inauguration
The official inauguration on August 27, 2024, was graced by acclaimed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Minister P.Rajeeve presiding. Prithviraj, in his address, underlined the indispensable role of farmers as the backbone of society and celebrated their contributions not only to food security but also to the social and economic fabric of Kerala. In a heartwarming gesture, he also handed over the keys to two beneficiaries under the Sneha Veedu housing initiative, symbolizing how the festival is rooted in both celebration and social responsibility.
The inauguration was preceded by a grand cultural procession that began at the Kalamassery municipal office. Local panchayats, traditional art forms, and percussion ensembles came together in a vibrant display of Kerala’s cultural richness, reminding everyone that the festival is as much about heritage as it is about progress.
Exhibitions that Inspire
A major attraction of the event has been the 132 stalls, each representing a slice of innovation, tradition, or enterprise. From fresh farm produce and new crop varieties to modern farming equipment, coir, bamboo, handloom goods, and Kerala’s cherished heritage rice varieties like pokkali, Kadungalloor kuthari, and kalanchi, the diversity on display is astounding.
These stalls are more than marketplaces—they are windows into a future where tradition and technology coexist, where small farmers and artisans stand shoulder to shoulder with modern innovators.
Beyond the Festival: Building Long-Term Infrastructure
What makes this year’s Karshikotsavam especially significant is how it coincides with major agricultural and industrial initiatives in Kalamassery and beyond. The Kerala government has given its nod for a 37.5-acre food processing park at Kunnukara, a project aimed at enhancing value addition, storage, and market access for farmers. This park, once operational, will become a game-changer for local agriculture, enabling farmers to move up the value chain.
Adding to this momentum, the LuLu Group is preparing to launch a ₹500-crore food processing facility at the HMT campus. Together, these initiatives will create a robust ecosystem where farmers, small entrepreneurs, and large industries collaborate for mutual growth.
Another noteworthy step is the launch of the “Farm-to-Plate” initiative, which ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their produce while consumers enjoy fresh, high-quality food delivered directly to their homes, universities, and workplaces. With air-conditioned vehicles facilitating the supply chain, the project addresses both the economic and logistical challenges farmers face.
A Festival with a Larger Purpose
At its core, the Kalamassery Agricultural Festival 2025 is not just a seasonal event. It is a movement towards sustainable and inclusive development. By bringing together agriculture, industry, culture, and literature on one platform, the festival amplifies the voices of farmers, celebrates local talent, and opens doors for entrepreneurs.
The blend of colorful cultural showcases, entrepreneurial displays, industrial foresight, and community-driven initiatives paints a vivid picture of a Kerala that is rooted in its traditions yet unafraid to embrace change.
Looking Ahead
The success of Karshikotsavam lies not just in the grandeur of its exhibitions but in the lasting impact it promises for the region. With projects like the food processing park, farm-to-plate systems, and cooperative-led enterprises, Kalamassery is becoming a model for how rural-urban synergy can drive sustainable development.
As Minister Rajeeve aptly put it, the state’s renewed focus on uniting agriculture and industry is more than a policy—it is a commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and equitable future.
The Kalamassery Karshikotsavam 2025 is, therefore, not just a festival. It is a symbol of transformation—a reminder that when agriculture, industry, and culture walk hand in hand, the possibilities for growth are limitless.