Country Farmss English

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): A Major Opportunity for Tamil Nadu’s FPOs & PACS 🌾

Tamil Nadu has a ₹5,990 crore tentative financing allocation under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), creating significant potential for agricultural infrastructure development across the state.

AIF can support eligible beneficiaries including FPOs, PACS, farmers, SHGs, JLGs, agri-entrepreneurs and startups.

Projects can include:

🌾 Warehouses & silos
❄️ Cold storage & cold chains
📦 Sorting, grading & packaging
🏭 Primary processing centres
🚜 Custom Hiring Centres
🌱 Smart & precision agriculture infrastructure
🚚 Logistics & post-harvest infrastructure

Eligible loans receive 3% annual interest subvention on up to ₹2 crore for a maximum of 7 years, with credit-guarantee support available for eligible borrowers.

For Tamil Nadu's FPOs and PACS, AIF could help move agriculture beyond production towards storage, processing, value addition and stronger farmer-owned supply chains.

🌱 The opportunity is not just to produce more — but to capture more value from what farmers produce.

Official sources:

🔗 Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:

agriinfra.dac.gov.in/

🔗 Tamil Nadu State Level Bankers’ Committee — AIF:

www.slbctn.com/aif.aspx


#AgricultureInfrastructureFund #AIF #TamilNadu #FPO #PACS #AgriInfrastructure #Agriculture #AgriTech #Farmers #RuralDevelopment #FoodProcessing #CountryFarmss

5 hours ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

National Gopal Ratna Award 2026 – Applications Open! 🇮🇳

The Government of India has opened applications for the National Gopal Ratna Awards 2026, recognising outstanding dairy farmers, indigenous cattle and buffalo breeders, and organisations contributing to the dairy sector.

📅 Last date to apply: 10 September 2026

If you are a dairy farmer, indigenous breed breeder, dairy cooperative or eligible organisation, this could be an opportunity to get national-level recognition for your work.

👉 Farmers and dairy organisations in Tamil Nadu and across India can explore the eligibility criteria and apply through the official Government portal.

The official application source is:
Apply for National Gopal Ratna Award 2026 — awards.gov.in/

#DairyFarming #GopalRatnaAward #DairyFarmers #IndigenousCattle #AnimalHusbandry #TamilNadu #Agriculture

3 days ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

🍓 From Indoor Farming to a ₹40 Crore Funding Opportunity: Fragaria Fruits Is Reimagining India’s Premium Fruit Market

India’s agritech sector is witnessing an interesting shift — from simply increasing farm productivity to creating premium, high-quality food through technology.

Chennai-based agritech startup Fragaria Fruits is reportedly in talks to raise around ₹40 crore ($4.2 million) in a fresh funding round. According to reports, the round could be led by Blume Ventures, with participation from existing investors including WEH Ventures and Rainmatter. If completed, the company could reach a post-money valuation of around ₹160 crore.

What makes Fragaria particularly interesting is its approach to fruit cultivation.

Founded in 2024 by Harish Varadharajan, Timothy Chad Van Niekerk and Damián López Salazar, the company is using Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and indoor vertical farming to grow premium strawberries throughout the year.

Instead of depending entirely on seasonal conditions, the company controls key parameters such as light, temperature, humidity, nutrients and irrigation to create a consistent growing environment.

Its premium fruit brand, Oh! Fruits, focuses on European strawberry varieties and aims to offer consumers high-quality berries that are locally produced rather than dependent on imports.

The company has already demonstrated its model through a pilot farm in Chennai and is expanding its operations in Bengaluru, with a target of producing around 120 kg of strawberries per day. It is also looking beyond strawberries, with plans for blueberries and raspberries.

This isn't Fragaria's first major funding milestone.

In 2025, the company raised $2 million in seed funding, led by WEH Ventures, with participation from Rainmatter, Spiral Ventures, Perpetual Capital and angel investors including Sashi Kumar, founder of Akshayakalpa Organic. The funding was aimed at scaling production and expanding its premium berry portfolio.

🌱 Why this matters for Indian agriculture

Fragaria's journey highlights a broader trend in Indian agriculture:

Technology is no longer being used only to grow more — it is increasingly being used to grow differently.

Controlled-environment farming can potentially help farmers and agribusinesses produce high-value crops in locations and seasons where conventional cultivation may face climatic limitations.

At the same time, vertical farming comes with its own challenges — particularly energy consumption, capital costs, infrastructure and the economics of producing premium crops at scale.

The real question is therefore not whether vertical farming can grow strawberries.

It already can.

The bigger question is:

👉 Can technology-driven farming become economically viable and scalable for India's mass market?

Fragaria Fruits' next phase could provide an interesting case study for the future of controlled-environment agriculture, premium horticulture and Indian agritech.

4 days ago | [YT] | 1

Country Farmss English

A New Milestone for Indigenous Cattle Breeding in Assam 🐄🇮🇳

Assam has achieved a significant milestone in livestock biotechnology with the reported birth of an IVF female calf of the indigenous Lakhimi cattle breed at Assam Veterinary and Fisheries University.

This development is particularly important because Lakhimi cattle are well adapted to Assam’s local climatic conditions and traditional farming systems. The breed is valued for its milk, while the bulls have traditionally been used for agricultural operations in the region.

The use of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and advanced reproductive technologies could open new opportunities for:

🔹 Conservation of indigenous cattle breeds
🔹 Multiplication of animals with desirable genetic traits
🔹 Systematic genetic improvement
🔹 Improving dairy productivity
🔹 Strengthening disease-management programmes
🔹 Enhancing farmer incomes

For India, technologies such as IVF are not only about increasing milk production. They can also play an important role in preserving valuable indigenous genetic resources while improving the economic potential of livestock farming.

The Assam initiative is therefore an interesting example of how traditional livestock breeds and modern biotechnology can come together to build a more resilient dairy sector.

A promising step for Assam—and potentially an important lesson for indigenous cattle conservation across India. 🌱🐄

#LakhimiCow #IVFCattle #Assam #IndigenousCattle #LivestockBiotechnology #DairyFarming #AnimalHusbandry #AgriTech #CattleBreeding #SustainableAgriculture #India

5 days ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

Exploring New Possibilities in Herbal Extraction & Dairy Sustainability 🌱🐄

A day to remember!

I had the opportunity to visit GSK Naturals Private Limited in Paramathi Velur, Namakkal, a company engaged in the extraction of oil from various herbal plants.

This visit was made possible through the introduction by Mr. Senthil Kumar, President of Nanjai Edaiyar. It was an insightful experience to understand their herbal oil extraction processes and explore the possibilities of utilising the by-products generated from these processes.

At One Terra Foundation, we are now planning to explore a research initiative at a dairy farm, focusing on the potential utilisation of the waste/by-products from herbal extraction.

The idea is to look at how an existing waste stream can potentially be transformed into a useful resource within a sustainable dairy farming system. 🌱♻️

This is just the beginning of an interesting journey involving agriculture, herbal resources, waste utilisation and sustainable livestock farming.

More details and updates on the research initiative coming soon.

Stay tuned!

#OneTerraFoundation #CountryFarmssMedia #SustainableAgriculture #DairyFarming #HerbalPlants #WasteToValue #CircularEconomy #RegenerativeAgriculture #Sustainability #Namakkal #AgricultureInnovation

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

Strengthening FPOs: A Meaningful Discussion in Salem

NABARD Salem District and the State Bank of India (SBI) jointly organised a meeting with progressive Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Salem to discuss ways to strengthen FPOs and take them to the next level.

Country Farmss Media and One Terra Foundation had the opportunity to participate in this important meeting. The session provided a valuable platform for interaction between FPO representatives, farmers, financial institutions and organisations working in the agriculture sector.

We had the opportunity to introduce our initiatives and explain the work we are doing through Country Farmss Media and One Terra Foundation in the areas of agriculture, sustainability, innovation and rural development. It was encouraging to interact directly with progressive farmers and understand their experiences, challenges and aspirations.

SBI and other participating organisations also explained various schemes, financial support and opportunities available for FPOs and the farming community. The discussions highlighted the importance of access to finance, better market linkages, value addition, technology, capacity building and institutional support for the long-term growth of FPOs.

The meeting was a healthy and insightful discussion, bringing together different stakeholders with a common objective of strengthening the farming community and creating better opportunities for farmers.

We sincerely thank NABARD Manager Mrs. Sheeba Sangeetha and SBI for giving us this valuable opportunity to participate, interact with progressive FPOs and share our initiatives.

Country Farmss Media and One Terra Foundation look forward to working closely with NABARD, SBI, FPOs and other stakeholders in the future to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen farmer-led organisations and create meaningful opportunities for the farming community.

#FPO #FPOs #FarmerProducerOrganisation #Farmers #Agriculture #AgriBusiness #FarmerEmpowerment #NABARD #SBI #Salem #TamilNaduAgriculture #AgriculturalDevelopment #RuralDevelopment #AgriInnovation #SustainableAgriculture #ValueAddition #MarketLinkage #FarmerProducerCompanies #OneTerraFoundation #CountryFarmssMedia #ProgressiveFarmers #FarmersOfIndia #AgriEntrepreneurship #Sustainability

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1 week ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

I recently had the opportunity to meet Akilan, a young agripreneur who is proving that fitness and farming can go hand in hand. While many know him through his fitness Instagram page Asura Balam, his vision extends far beyond the gym.

Nestled in the beautiful Kalvarayan Hills, Akilan is building an inspiring 100-acre farm with a strong focus on sustainable goat farming, supported by poultry and long-term agricultural planning.

What impressed me most is that he didn't rush into expansion. Instead, he successfully completed multiple goat farming trials, validated his methods, and is now preparing to scale with confidence.

His farm is driven by a clear vision—to create a model that combines modern thinking, sustainable agriculture, and profitable livestock farming. It's inspiring to see young Indians investing their passion in agriculture and developing farms that can motivate the next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs.

At Country Farmss Media, we remain committed to documenting inspiring agricultural stories from across India and showcasing innovative farmers who are transforming the future of Indian agriculture.

🎥 A detailed video on Akilan's 100-acre farm in Kalvarayan Hills, his goat farming journey, and his ambitious vision for the future is coming soon. Stay tuned!

#GoatFarming #KalvarayanHills #SustainableAgriculture #LivestockFarming #YoungFarmer #Agriculture #Farming #AgriEntrepreneur #RuralEntrepreneurship #CountryFarmssMedia #InnovationInAgriculture #FarmLife #IndianAgriculture #AgriJournalism #AsuraBalam #GoatFarm #TamilNaduAgriculture #SustainableFarming

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

🌱 Understanding the Ground Reality of Organic Farming in Tamil Nadu

As part of the One Terra Foundation initiative, I have been travelling across Tamil Nadu to understand the real challenges faced by organic farmers and to document their experiences directly from the field.

Recently, I visited the Organic Farmers' Market in Tirupattur District, and the interaction provided valuable insights into the current state of organic agriculture in the region.

While the demand for chemical-free food, organic produce, and sustainable farming practices continues to grow, many farmers are still facing significant challenges, including:

✅ Limited market access and price realization
✅ High certification costs for small and marginal farmers
✅ Labour shortages and increasing input costs
✅ Difficulties in scaling organic farming operations

Despite these challenges, I was inspired by the resilience and commitment of the farmers who continue to practice natural farming, organic agriculture, and regenerative farming methods for the benefit of future generations.

These field visits reinforce the importance of building stronger ecosystems that connect farmers, consumers, researchers, policymakers, and agri-entrepreneurs.

At One Terra Foundation, our goal is to document these realities, identify practical solutions, and create platforms that support sustainable livelihoods, ecological restoration, and farmer well-being.

Every district has a story. Every farmer has an insight. And every conversation brings us closer to building a more sustainable future.

#OneTerraFoundation #OrganicFarming #SustainableAgriculture #RegenerativeAgriculture #NaturalFarming #TamilNaduFarmers #OrganicFarmers #FarmerMarket #RuralDevelopment #FoodSecurity #ClimateResilience #AgriJournalism #CountryFarmssMedia #Sustainability #Agriculture #CountryFarmss

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about Country Farmss Media and One Terra Foundation at the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI).

I shared my journey in agriculture and my experiences in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, where I have been exploring opportunities to connect agricultural startups and innovations between India and Africa. I also had the opportunity to visit many farms and interact with farmers across Ghana, gaining valuable insights into the country's agricultural landscape.

During my visit, I learned about the remarkable work of Arima Farms Ghana, which has been involved in wheat and soybean cultivation initiatives in Ghana. I also shared the future vision and plans of One Terra Foundation.

I was pleased to have the Arima Farms team present, including Mr. Citrarasan, Mr. Sajit, and Mr. Sundar.

We look forward to collaborating with like-minded organizations to promote sustainable agriculture, empower farmers, and create meaningful impact across communities.

Special thanks to Saalai Manikam, Founder of Arima Farms Ghana, and SICCI for providing this valuable opportunity.

#CountryFarmssMedia #OneTerraFoundation #OrganicFarming #DairyFarming #FarmerEmpowerment #Sustainability #AgriInnovation #Africa #Agriculture #Ghana #ArimaFarms

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2 months ago | [YT] | 0

Country Farmss English

Grateful for the opportunity to speak about Country Farmss Media and One Terra Foundation at Vanam Foundation. 🌱

Shared my journey in agriculture, my experiences connecting agri-startups and innovations between India and Africa, and our future plans through One Terra Foundation.

Phase 1 Focus: ✅ PGS certification awareness for organic farmers ✅ Mastitis awareness in dairy farming ✅ “One Cow, One Calf Per Year” reproductive awareness program

Looking forward to collaborating with like-minded organizations to support sustainable agriculture and empower farmers.

Special thanks to my friend Mr. Nithish of Rain Beaver for this opportunity.

#CountryFarmssMedia #OneTerraFoundation #OrganicFarming #DairyFarming #FarmerEmpowerment #Sustainability #AgriInnovation #Africa #Agriculture #VanamFoundation

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2 months ago | [YT] | 4