The third edition of ‘Udhayam’ entrepreneurship meet and agricultural exhibition organized by the ICAR - Indian Institute of Spices Research (ICAR-IISR), recorded a steady turnout at the institute campus. The exhibition was held with a focus on encouraging small-scale agricultural enterprises and providing a market-facing platform for value-added farm products.

A range of spices, agricultural produce and processed products were on display, with around 100 micro and small entrepreneurs from Kozhikode district and neighbouring areas taking part.

The exhibition was formally inaugurated by Dr. Manoj P. Samuel, Executive Director, KSCSTE - CWRDM. Dr. R. Dinesh, Director, ICAR-IISR, presided over the function. Sajitha Gafoor, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation councillor, and Saji S, CEO and Executive Director, Kerala Institute for Entrepreneurship Development (KIED), were among those present.

As part of the programme, 14 non-exclusive licences for production of improved varieties of black pepper, turmeric, nutmeg and cinnamon developed by ICAR-IISR were handed over to farmers and nurseries. The exhibition also saw the sale of planting materials, seeds and organic inputs.