Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Agro Business Company  (KABCO) which functions under the Kerala Agriculture Department will be going public from next month. The state government holds 33 percent of shares in the company and intends to find an international market for value added agricultural products, in order to ensure a great income for the farmers.    

Meanwhile, the percentage of shares to be sold out in the public share market is capped at 13 percent, meanwhile, financial institutions, including the primary agricultural credit societies, will be allowed to hold shares up to 5 percent. In addition, farmers will hold 24 percent of the company shares, and 25 percent of the shares will rest with farmers’ unions including farming cooperative societies.

It is said that NABARD has expressed willingness to partner in the initiative. However, no decision has been taken regarding the shareholdings.