The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), located in Kozhikode, has introduced an online sales portal called Spiisry, with the aim of expanding the market reach for small agricultural start-ups.
The portal serves as a platform to connect farmers, start-ups, and customers. It showcases and markets over 150 products, including health and wellness items, spice-based cosmetics, spice powders, planting materials, bio-fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs developed at the IISR nursery.
Spiisry not only acts as an online marketplace but also functions as a start-up promotion unit for the IISR, providing assistance and training to young entrepreneurs. Its objective is to exhibit and market the licensed technologies from various institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
At present, the portal features products from 11 licensees and five ICAR institutes.
According to R Dinesh, the Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, apart from offering support to start-ups, entrepreneurs, and farmers, the portal aims to generate revenue by facilitating direct delivery of agricultural products across the country.
Furthermore, a retail outlet named 'Kisan Seva Kendra' has been established at the Kozhikode campus to sell bio inputs from all ICAR institutes. This facility aims to provide easy access to ICAR's bio inputs for small and marginal farmers.
Overall, the launch of the Spiisry online sales portal and the Kisan Seva Kendra outlet demonstrate the IISR's commitment to supporting agri start-ups, promoting agricultural products, and facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and resources within the agricultural sector.
