Kochi: In a major push to transform Kerala’s agriculture sector through advanced technology and enhance farmers’ incomes, the State Government under the Kera Project is organising AgriNext Summit 2026 on February 20, 2026.
AgriNext Summit 2026 will be held at the Integrated Startup Complex in Kalamassery and is jointly organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), the Kerala Agriculture Department, and the World Bank.
Held under the theme “Technology to the Fields, Transformation to the Harvest,” AgriNext Summit 2026 aims to take innovative solutions currently confined to laboratories and startups directly to the farms of ordinary farmers.
The summit is positioned as a critical intervention to bridge the gap between research-driven agricultural technologies and on-ground farm-level implementation.
Despite the availability of advanced solutions such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern cold-chain technologies that prevent post-harvest losses, their adoption at the grassroots level remains limited.
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AgriNext Summit 2026 seeks to address this disconnect by creating a structured platform where startups can directly deploy their tools and services in the field, gain government recognition, and scale their operations across the state.
Approximately 1,000 participants are expected to attend AgriNext Summit 2026, including entrepreneurs, farmers, policymakers, investors, and agriculture department officials.
More than 150 selected agri-startups will present technological solutions tailored to address pressing challenges faced by farmers.
The summit will also facilitate direct engagement between Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and startups, enabling collaborative identification of emerging agricultural challenges and the development of suitable pilot models.
AgriNext Summit 2026: Key Highlights
According to KSUM CEO Anoop Ambika, one of the key highlights of AgriNext Summit 2026 will be the live technology zones.
These zones will go beyond traditional exhibitions by demonstrating how technologies function in real agricultural settings.
He stated that agri-startups have a significant role in simplifying complex technologies and making them accessible and practical for farmers.
The initiative under AgriNext Summit 2026 is expected to modernise traditional farming practices with startup-led innovation and position Kerala as a national model in agri-technology adoption.
Over 100 pilot programmes across various districts are set to be launched in the coming months, further expanding the reach of the initiative.
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Additionally, more than 50 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between agri-startups and FPOs are expected to be signed during AgriNext Summit 2026, strengthening collaboration between innovators and farmer groups.
The presence of agriculture department officials, policymakers, and investors is anticipated to provide strategic support for agri-tech startups looking to scale their services.
By promoting effective technology adoption to enhance productivity and profitability, AgriNext Summit 2026 is expected to drive transformative change within Kerala’s agri-technology ecosystem and contribute to sustainable agricultural growth across the state.
