direct solenoid and solenoid pilot operated valves series

DeskE d i t o r ' sFrom the

Post-harvest infrastructure is a critical component of the agri-chain and the deployment of Collection Centres, Pack Houses, and other such facilities in the vicinity of farms is vitally important for farmers to be able to aggregate, assess and augment the value of their produce. Having recognized the need for such infrastructure as imperative, several states have approached SFAC requesting support in defining, designing, developing and deploying such infrastructure for the benefit of FPOs. With the intention of shedding more light on this growing trend, our feature article this month looks at the role of Pack Houses in the agri-value chain and the myriad benefits these can bring to member farmers. In extending support for the deployment of such infrastructure at the field level, the VIUC is making an important and much needed contribution to the post-harvest management of small and marginal farmers.

Collective activities in the areas of production, collection, transportation and marketing that have been widely encouraged and adopted under the VIUC, continued to gather steam across the country during the month of August 2013. Farmers in the Northern Region states of Delhi, Punjab, J&K, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, continued joint procurement, collection, transportation and marketing activities. Direct marketing tie-ups with large retailers like Bharti Walmart and Mother Dairy have helped farmers earn better returns. Impartation of knowledge on improved packages of practices, especially organic farming, water conservation and FPO management have resulted in farmers adopting innovative farming practices and inputs in place of more expensive conventional methods.

In the Western Region too, FIG and FPO level meetings were held to discuss FPO management as well as administration, and improved farming practices and marketing methods. Direct marketing to end customers has proved to be especially advantageous for member farmers. Trainings and exposure visits have motivated farmers to adopt modern technologies and practices, duly supported and encouraged by the line departments in these states. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the Central Region saw several FPOs get licences for bulk procurement and reselling farm inputs to members. Farmers are greatly satisfied with the lower rates they get in buying from such FPOs. Several trainings, exposure visits and meetings have been held on pertinent subjects including strategic management and planning.

Three of the states of the Eastern Region, namely Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, too saw farmer members of FIGs and FPOS take up joint production, transportation and marketing of their produce. All the FPOs in Bihar and Odisha have been registered. The North Eastern Region comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura,

Vegetable InItIatIVe for Urban ClUsters

Monthly NewsletterVolume 09 October 2013

2 Monthly Newsletter | VIUC | October 2013 | Issue-09

Financial Summary

Northern Region Update

Fig. 1: Statewise utilisation of funds (in percentage) Component-wise utilization of funds (in percentage)

saw the establishment of FPOs, the introduction of collective activities and investment in improved package of practices Several training sessions and meetings were organised on the operations and management of FPOs. The Southern Region reported some of the highest utilisations of allocated funds in the country and many successes under the Initiative, including direct marketing by farmers.

In summary, in the 20 states, which included Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu, Srinagar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra,

Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand, activities that were started under the Action Plans of 2011-12 and 2012-13 saw continuation through the month. At the end of August 2013, approximately 60 percent of the funds released under the Action Plan of 2012-13 was reported to have been utilized across the twenty states. Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram lead the pack as they reported 100% utilisation of funds allocated under the Action Plan of 2012-13. In Andhra Pradesh activities have been started as per the Action Plan submitted and approved for 2013-14.

As per the data received from nodal agencies, funds approved under the action plan for the financial year were utilised in 20 states. Approximately 60 percent of the released funds were utilised across the twenty states under the Action Plan of 2012-13 which included Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu, Srinagar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand. However,

Maharashtra is utilising the same funds under the Action Plans of both 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Among the twenty states, Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram lead in terms of utilisation, having utilised over 100% of the total approved funds under the Action Plan of 2012-13. In these states, a major portion of the funds were utilised for vegetable cultivation, followed by other important components.

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Updates from the states of Delhi, Punjab, J&K, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand that comprise the Northern Region are as stated below:

Delhi

In Alipur (North West Delhi), having observed the benefits of collective activity, approximately 1300 farmers have

commenced the joint production of spinach, radish and pumpkin on 2800 ha area. These farmers are also carrying out joint collection, transportation and marketing of approximately 2800-3200 qtl of produce. All the four FPOs in Delhi have tied up with Mother Dairy, Bharti Walmart and

Azadpur Mandi and are selling around 500-2000 qtl of produce without the involvement of middlemen and aarthtias. As part of the improved package of practices, farmers have started the innovative practice of spraying a combination of Tonica and

Biomix solution on the spinach instead of the top dressing of urea. This spray has proved very successful and is cheaper and more nutrient rich than urea.

haRyaNa

In Panipat, with the registration of FPO, farmers have opened an input shop cum FPO office for supporting agri-business activities. The Director General Horticulture inaugurated the sale counter of vegetable seeds and fertilisers operated by an FPO in the Bapoli village of Panipat.

There are a total of eight FPOs in the state and all the FPOs have been registered. Approximately, 95 percent of the funds have been utilized under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 68 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

Good crop from the spray of combination of Tonica & biomix

Loading of produce for delivery

Inauguration of input shop of FPO Panipat by Director General

Horticulture

Protected Cultivation(Sqmt) 12.00%

Markets (unit) 3.15%

Seed Production of Vegetables (ha) 0.29%

Post HarvestManagement 3.65%

Organic Farming(ha/Unit) 3.17%

Promotion onINM/IPM (ha) 0.77%

Administrative Cost 0.56%

Base Line Survey (Nos) 0.16%

Vegetable seedingProduction (ha) 2.97%

Seed Infrastructure(Unit) 1.19%

Promotion of Farmers Group 9.19%

HRD-Training of Farmers (Nos) 1.76%

Vegetable Cultivation(ha) 45.94%Other

15.20%

3Monthly Newsletter | VIUC | October 2013 | Issue-09

himaChal PRaDeSh

In Himachal Pradesh, the scheme was started recently; therefore, for i d e nt i f i c at i o n and mobilisation of farmers, awareness programmes have been organised. In this regard, conversion training has been organised at the FIG level with support from IFFCO in Mashobra block. Approximately 500 farmers have been identified under the scheme and soon they will be registered as an FIG through a legal process.

J & K (KaShmiR)

In Srinagar, around 400 farmers were taken to Baramullah on an “exposure cum Training Visit” that focused on technical issues regarding hybrid cultivation and protection of plants against pests. FIG members have started joint collection of approximately 1200 qtl of brinjal.

Under the Action Plan of 2011-12, approximately 91 percent of the funds have been utilised and 63 percent funds have been utilised under the 2012-13 Action Plan.

PUNJab

In Sehjo Majra cluster of Ludhiana district, a two day “Training” Programme was organised by the RI for knowledge enhancement on modern package of practices, off-season vegetable production

and various aspects of marketing. Agriculture experts from PAU Ludhiana also participated in the training. In addition to this, FIG members of Ludhiana Quality Control Organisation went on an exposure visit to see a pack house that has been constructed at Kokka village. As part of an agribusiness initiative, farmers of Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana FPO carried out joint input procurement of more than 270 MT of Urea, DAP and approximately 145 MT of bottle gourd and brinjal seeds. Other than this, other collective activities are in progress where FIG members of Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana FPO are carrying out joint transportation of approximately 450 qtl of okra, bitter gourd and brinjal to Jagron, Ludhiana Purvi and Chandigarh.

All seven of the FPOs in Punjab have been registered. In the state, approximately 50 percent of the funds have been utilised under the action plan of 2011-12 and 44 percent under 2012-13.

UTTaRaKhaND

In Dehradun, FIG members of the Harit Kranti Producer Company and Markham Grand Producer Company are carrying out joint cultivation of okra in 13 ha area. They are also carrying out joint transportation and marketing of 65 MT of okra and other vegetables to Dehradoon Mandi.

Approximately 97 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 64 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

Training of farmers at Mashobra block

Exposure visit cum training in Baramullah

Member farmers participated in training at Sehjo Majra block of Ludhiana

Training provided by experts

Farmers carrying out sorting and grading of vegetables before marketing

Western Region The Western Region comprises the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Rajasthan and Gujarat and the region has reported several success stories. Updates from these states are as below:

mahaRaShTRa

Small-farming communities have been highly encouraged by the formation of FPOs and the success of collective activities under the VIUC scheme. Farmers of Pune and Nashik are carrying out joint procurement of fertilisers and other agro-chemicals worth ` 1.5-3.0 lakhs. as well as joint marketing of approximately 150 MT of major vegetables such as brinjal, chili, tomato, onion, cabbage etc. through direct marketing. To facilitate this, a collection centre has been established at

Khodad village of Junnar Taluka, where all the beneficiary farmers collect, weigh and send their produce for marketing to residential societies in Pune and Mumbai. The farmers are showing great enthusiasm towards the application of latest technologies. Farmers of Junnar Taluka FPO have jointly purchased potato seeds (developed by using tissue culture) from Jalandhar and have saved around ` 600 per bag.

In the state, approximately 86 percent of the funds have been utilised under the 2011-12 Action Plan and 34 percent funds have been utilised under the Action Plans of 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Sale of inputs at input shop

4

FPO–JUNNaR TalUKa FaRmeR PRODUCeR COmPaNy

Agribusiness linkages of FPOs are proving to be highly advantageous and consequently encouraging for farmers. In an interaction with Mr. Suresha Gaikwad, Secretary of Junnar Taluka Farmer Producer Company, it was observed that the linkages developed with service providers have enabled the farmers’ to negotiate more effectively. On the one hand, the inputs purchased in bulk by FPOs is procured at much better prices than from the market and the technical support offered by FPO promotion

agencies and Departments have led to an increase in productivity; on the other hand it has also facilitated the direct marketing to residential societies and other markets. This is improving the decision making ability of the farmers and increasing the opportunities for farmers to sell the produce to main markets or to societies. This effort has reduced the involvement and control of middlemen and commission agents because farmers are now in a better position when bargaining with them. Thanks to the overwhelming response to the direct marketing efforts to residential societies, collection centres have been opened in different clusters which are helping in improving the marketing activities. These FPOs are doing good business in terms of both input procurement and output marketing. For marketing, they are selling around 15-16 types of vegetables twice a week to these societies. This demonstrates the success of the VIUC scheme as both the producer and consumers are being benefited by the reduced involvement of middlemen.

Comparative details of cost of inputs – market price and price charged by FPOParticulars Quantity (No.) Market price (`) FPO Price (`) Farmers’ profit (`)Mulching paper 1 Roll 2100.00 1500.00 500.00Yellow sticky trap 25 No. 500.00 300.00 200.00Pheromone trap (Lures) 1 15.00 10.00 5.00Potato seeds (tissue culture) 100 g 2350.00 2100.00 250.00Tomato stakes 1 14.00 10.00 4.00Drip irrigation Driptech 1m 2.30 1.80 0.50Bhawani drip 1m 5.00 4.00 1.00Green India 1m 4.75 4.25 0.50Mulching paper laying machine 1 acre 3500.00 1200.00 2300.00Polythene bag 1 No. 10.00 8.00 2.00

Direct marketing of vegetables in Mumbai Tissue culture seeds purchased by FPO

Collection centre of Junnar FPO

GOa

In North and South Goa, although farmers are carrying out direct marketing with Goa State Horticulture Corporation Ltd since the commencement of the scheme, to further strengthen backward integration, buyer and seller meetings have been organized with Zuari Agrochemicals in the presence of FIG members of both North and South Goa Farmers Producer Companies and these meetings have been great successes. They have recently started joint procurement of inputs. The State Agriculture Department is also supporting these

activities by providing subsidised seeds for the upcoming season and for this FIG meetings have been organized in the presence of the Agriculture Department officials.

Approximately 25 percent of the funds have been utilized under the Action Plan of 2011-12.

GUJaRaT

In Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the Manager (NHM), Gujarat state has attended a board meeting of Ekta FPO, whose creation is on the cards, and has provided guidance and information to potential members on the various schemes and support services available from the state and central government to FPOs.

Approximately, 76 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 52 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13. Buyer-seller meeting with Zuari Agro-chemicals

Board meeting in presence of Manager (NHM)

Monthly Newsletter | VIUC | October 2013 | Issue-09

5

FPO–RaiSeN FameRS CROP aND PRODUCeR COmPaNy

Shri Ram Janaki Maa FIG belongs to the Raisen Famers Crop and Producer Company Ltd. of the Bheel Khedi village in Obedullaganj block of Raisen district. Initially farmers were unorganized, but thanks to the interventions of the FPO programme they have been organised into a group and this group collectively holds about 70 acres of cultivable land. These farmers normally cultivate rice and wheat during the season. Besides this,

they are also carrying out vegetable cultivation on about 14 acres as supplementary crops.

Under the VIUC programme, FIGs were motivated to take up vegetable cultivation on more area and so they increased it to cover about 40 acres of land. The farmers were imparted training on better vegetable cultivation by the Horticulture Department. The president of the group was helped by the VIUC scheme to install his own pack house for vegetables, and other members were provided with drip irrigation infrastructure under the scheme.

The Central Region comprises the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The region reported the formation of new FPOs and successful initiatives. Updates from these states are as below:

ChhaTTiSGaRh

In Raipur, and Dhamtari, with the aim of starting the agri-business activities, FPO meetings were organised around the themes of strategic planning and benefits offered by the Department of Horticulture. As part of an exposure visit, around 50 farmers of Bilaspur and Dhamtari cluster participated in a two day National Conference on Panchayati Raj & Rural Development in Gujarat. This was organized by the Gujarat’s Panchayat, Rural Housing & Rural Development Department. Training was also conducted for FIG members of the Kishan Mitra Marketing Cooperative Society on seed treatment and the production process. This training was organised with the support of the DHO and Cooperatives. Approximately 350 FIG members participated. At present both Cooperatives of Raipur have rented a building for their Cooperative office and as a Business centre. FPOs are also making efforts towards establishing forward linkages.

Approximately 100 percent of the funds have been utilized under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 79 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

Central Region

maDhya PRaDeSh

To demonstrate a working model and provide overall information about the running of a producer company, board members of Unnat Kisan Producer Company Limited and Kisan Ekta Samruddhi Producer Company Limited were taken to Zimmedar Kisan Samruddhi Producer Company Limited in Dewas for two days. Both the FPOs of Bhopal and Sehore have started agri-input business of more than 120 MT of fertilisers like Urea, SSP and DAP as part of their collective endeavour. Since the prices of Urea, SSP and DAP are rapidly increasing, FPOs are offering these inputs at much lower rates than those of the open market; therefore, farmers are greatly satisfied with this arrangement. They are also carrying out joint collection, transportation and marketing of more than 3000 MT of seasonal vegetables. As an innovative activity, the FPOs the with support of the RI are trying to establish a dealership with Sri Ram Fertilizers (DSCL) and are also planning to start the business of cattle feed soon. They have also started a seed production programme in which the FPOs will work for seed producing companies and farmers will work with their FPOs for seed production.

Approximately, 57 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12.

Conference on Panchayati Raj & Rural Development

FPO meeting

Inauguration of FPO office of Arang and Abhanpur FPO

Training to FIG members of Kishan Mitra Marketing Cooperative Society

Joint input procurement

Ready to sell produce

Exposure visit

Sorting and grading of vegetables


6

eastern Region

FIG members have saved approximately ` 44000/- as collective savings. They have started inter-loaning within the group and three members have availed of loans of ` 10000/- each. The group works collectively, aggregates its requirements and members have individually earned profits. Trainings on adoption of seed treatment, germination tests, soil testing, varietal changes etc. have resulted in production enhancement. This group has taken the initiative of marketing their produce collectively as well. They have aggregated their produce for selling it in the Bhopal Mandi. Training on marketing strategies was also provided to the farmers and this has helped them in with the process of marketing.

Collection of produce by 20 farmers

1. Transported produce collectively from all the farmers of FIG.

2. Seeds – earlier farmers purchased seeds on an individual basis at high rates but with collectively (20 farmers) procured seeds they have been able to get better rates. Viz. 1 kg of Sponge gourd seeds, were bought @ ` 27000/-but when bought individually, this was costing @` 35000/-

The adoption of improved practices has led to increase in production of vegetables as follow:

Sl. No. Name of Crop Production before intervention (qtl/Acre)

Production after intervention (qtl/Acre)

1 Sponge gourd seeds 200 300 2 Tomato 50 80 3 Brinjal 60 100 4 Lady's finger 200 300–350

Joint marketing to Mandi

Comprising the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, the Eastern Region has reported successful endeavours under the VIUC scheme. Updates from these states are as below:

bihaR

In Patna, Nalanda and Vaishali, where the FPOs have been registered, cluster-level meetings have been organised for discussions regarding commencement of businesses associated with input procurement and output marketing. As part of their collective efforts, FIG members of Barh, Bakhtiyarpur, Harnaut and Ekangarsarai FPOs are carrying out joint input procurement of approximately 20 kg seeds of lima beans, french beans, pointed gourd, bottle gourd, tomato and 400 bags of Urea and DAP. They are also collectively transporting and marketing more than 20 MT of seasonal vegetables. They are directly marketing approximately 14 MT of produce to KGPL. In order to enhance the technical skills with regard to production technologies, farmers have been provided with demonstrations on the use of and application of fertilisers on demo plots.

100 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 58 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

ODiSha

As an innovative approach to enhancing of farmers’ production and marketing, crop planning has been initiated at the FPO level for off season cultivation and uniform production throughout the year. FPO members of Ranisukadei Farmer Producer Company Ltd and Maa Charchika Farmer Producer Company Ltd. are carrying out joint procurement of inputs like vegetable seeds of cauliflower, okra, bean, brinjal, tomato, onion, coriander and cabbage etc. Similarly, farmers of Puri and Khurda have also collectively purchased around 230 kg seeds of cabbage, brinjal, bitter gourd, beans, cowpea, okra etc. Seeing the advantages of collective activity, around 100 farmers of Rasulpur Green Vegetable Farmer Producer Company Ltd. have jointly established a nursery for seedling production on 0.4 ha for the upcoming Rabi season. Along the same lines, around 400 farmers of the Patitapaban Farmers Producer Cooperative Society are carrying out joint production on 200 acre area. They are also directly marketing around 1700 qtl of produce to Surendra Agrotech. All the six FPOs in Odisha have been registered.

Approximately, 32 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12.

BoD meeting of FPO

Demonstration of impact of fertilizer on demo plot

Meeting for crop planning

Agri-input shop


7

Comprising the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, the North Eastern Region saw the establishment of FPOs and collective activities by the vegetable growing farmers. Updates from these states are as stated below:

aRUNaChal PRaDeSh

In Lower Subansiri, collective activities have started and about 15-20 MT of off season tomatoes have been delivered to the neighbouring district of Dapoli and Upper Subansiri. In addition to this, 4-5 MT of tomato and other crops have been marketed to Itanagar, Harmutty, Assam and other districts. In Papumpare, field preparation is in progress and farmers have prepared the nursery beds for seedlings.


aSSam

For enhancing the off- season production, the construction of shade net houses is going on in Kamrup and Nalbari districts. In Guwahati, Metro Vegetables has completed the establishment of 10 counters.

Approximately 100 percent of the funds have been utilized under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 66 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

maNiPUR

In Manipur, locations for establishment of collection centres and pack houses have been identified by the FPOs, and at some locations construction has been completed. As part of the collective activities of the FPOs, joint procurement of fertiliser has been proposed joint collection and transportation of output is in progress.

100 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 50 percent under the Action Plan of 2012-13.

meGhalaya

In Meghalaya, the harvesting of the May- June transplanted tomato and other crops is going on and the harvesting of French beans has been completed. Operations like weeding, earthing up and application of plant protection chemicals are in progress. Land preparation and sowing of peas has commenced. FIG meetings have been organised at monthly intervals. Both the FPOs, Rilum Khasi and Iai Jyangam, have had discussions regarding various business activities and the marketing of produce is likely to start in the coming months.

Under the Action Plan of 2011-12, approximately 94 percent of the funds have been utilised.

North east Region

Seeds to be distributed to FIG members

Nursery bed preparation

Construction of shade net house

Collection centre

FPO meeting for discussions regarding business activities

Harvesting of produce

VeGeTable SeeD PRODUCTiON

Shri Dresphron Kharpuri is a very progressive farmer of Latjem village located in East Khasi Hills. All the family members of Mr. Dresphron Kharpuri are involved in vegetable cultivation on approximately 3 ha, growing a variety of vegetables like cauliflower, radish, turnip, peas etc. As Mr. Dresphron is highly dynamic in adopting the

latest innovations and farming technologies, he was therefore, selected by the State Department of Agriculture for the seed production programmme of potato. Five years ago, when he and other farmers were facing a shortage of quality seeds in the village, then Mr. Dresphron took the initiative of starting the vegetable seed production of cole crops on his own land. He has participated under various government schemes for the development of agriculture in the state and


8

mizORam

In Mizoram, FIG training has been conducted, in the presence of the Horticulture Extension and RKVY officials, on field activities and the maintaining of accounts. Monthly meetings have been organised for improving the savings of FIG and imparting knowledge on field activities and management. Members have been encouraged to create more terraces to prevent soil erosion.

Approximately 50 percent of the funds have been utilised under Action Plan 2011-12 and 100 percent under Action Plan 2012-13.

NaGalaND

In Nagaland, FIG meetings are being conducted by every FIG on a monthly basis. An FPO Annual General Meeting has been conducted at Razphe village in which 60 FIG members have participated.


has been greatly benefitted thereby. Seeing the scope and potential of the seed production business, he expanded it as a full time business and is engaged in seed production of different vegetables throughout the year. For marketing of these seeds, he is not using any channel and is selling it directly to the farmers of nearby and distant villages. From this business, he is earning approximately `1.5 lakhs annually. The setting up of a vegetable seed production nursery has been a great success. In addition he has been instrumental in uplifting the farming community as a whole through his hard work.

Joint marketing

FIG training

FPO Annual General meetingExposure visit

SiKKim

For enhancing their technical skills, FPO members of East and South Sikkim, have been taken on exposure visits, to visit other FIG groups in Samdong, Khamdong, and Assambling, with the support of the Horticulture Department. Collective activities are in progress and the FPO is planning to create a brand for the products produced by the growers. Identity cards have been provided to FIG members for selling the produce in market.

Approximately 99 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2011-12 and 50 percent under Action Plan of 2012-13.

The Horticulture & Cash Crop Development Department (HCCDD) has initiated an area expansion programme under the VIUC for open tomato cultivation in East Sikkim. FIGs are being motivated through a series of training and exposure visits, demonstration at farmers’ fields for setting up nurseries for the growing of quality seedlings, staking and overall management. Huge successes have been achieved under the initiative.

economic status of village before ViUC programme

The village of about 75 households, in which the scheme has been initiated is situated just two kms from the town. The whole area has only dry fields with sandy loam type of soil. Farmers mostly practice mixed cropping comprising cereals and spice crops like ginger and turmeric. Since they cultivated more than 2 crops on the same piece of land, they obtained less volume of marketable produce and consequently the economic returns were also very poor.

economic status of village after departmental intervention

Under the aegis of the VIUC scheme, HCCDD has organised a series of trainings, exposure visits and field demonstrations for enhancing the technical skills regarding production methods. Learning these technologies, 51 of the 75 farmer households have started the cultivation of tomato, ranging from 1000-5000 plants. They have obtained a very good crop which has fetched a very high price in the market. On an average they have received a profit ranging from ̀ 15 – ̀ 20/kg and have earned between. ` 30, 000 - ̀ 80, 000 net, in one growing season from a minuscule area of 0.2—0.5 ha. In addition to this, the department has also provided them with inputs such as seeds, organic manures and organic pesticides/fungicides under the scheme.

Technical support by Department through training and exposure visits


9

FPO–aRUNODay VRUTTi mUTUal aiDeD COOPeRaTiVe SOCieTy

The FPO Arunoday Vrutti Mutual Aided Cooperative Society has around 766 members that include farmers from five villages. All the farmers of this FPO belong to the small and marginal farmer category and most of them are involved in commercial cultivation of tomato, brinjal and cabbage. For selling their produce, these farmers were going to Rythu market earlier, which is almost 50 km away from the village. Selling the produce at the Rythu markets included the transportation cost as well as additional commission to middlemen. The establishment of the local collection centre at Nawapet mandal has proved to be very

rewarding for them and has eliminated the problems of long distance transportation. This collection centre is located hardly 5 km away from the village. Famers have benefitted from the establishment of this collection centre in more ways than one. Not only have the saved in terms of transportation charges but the State Government has also provided van-based transportation to the FPO. Now they are not compelled to market their produce with the intervention of middlemen. The commission they were paying to middlemen has also been saved. Famers are receiving their payments on time and it is prefixed.

TRiPURa

In Tripura, with the intention of starting agri-business activities, BoD meetings have been organised at the FPO- level for discussions regarding office space, share capital increase, office administration and business planning. In addition to this, an “awareness cum Training Programme” was organised at Melaghar block in which all the secretaries and presidents of the various FIGs participated. This training was organised for discussing the bye-laws, share capital, business activities, productivity enhancement, market potential, book- keeping etc. The DDO, SH, AO and VLW

The harvesting of the vegetable crops was organised in the presence of FIGs from all the villages and media coverage was also given through a local channel, Doordarshan Gangtok & Sikkim. This initiative was very encouraging for the farmers. Farmers were fully convinced of the benefits of the technology that was offered by the Department and thereby earned a good amount of money under the VIUC programme. Now these farmers are jointly selling their produce through their FPO. Their economy has improved and they are thankful to the government for this VIUC initiative. This success was achieved due to the continuous efforts rendered by the departmental officials and the support given in terms of the required inputs, training, exposure visits and technical know-how under VIUC programme.

FPO office for business activities

also participated in the programme. A four day “Technical Training Programme” was conducted by the Department of Horticulture at Nagichera Research Centre in which around 400 farmers participated. In the area of collective activities, FIG members of Krishi Unnayan Vegetable Growers Cooperative Society from Krishanpur village carried out joint marketing of 150 qtl of spine gourd and pointed gourd to wholesalers.


Southern RegionComprising the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the Southern Region reported some of the highest utilisations of allocated funds in the country and many successes under the initiative. Updates from these states are as below.

aNDhRa PRaDeSh

In the Medak and Rangareddy districts, FIG meetings and trainings have been organised in new clusters for discussions about the issues regarding the supply of chemical fertilisers, fertiliser licences, seeds, setting up of collection centres, savings and accounts opening for FIGs. As part of the collective activities, savings bank account of

FIGs have been opened and they have been encouraged to save. FIGs are working collectively for liaison and networking with the concerned Government Line departments. In the area of infrastructure creation, 14 collection centres have been established in the Medak and Rangareddy districts. The Government of Andhra Pradesh had come forward to work with the three FPOs of Medak district for marketing their vegetables by setting up collection centres in every Mandal to procure the vegetable produce from farmers of the selected villages.

100 percent of the funds have been utilised under both the Action Plans of 2011-12 and 2012-13 and 4 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2013-14.

FPO Van provided by the Department


Collection centre at Nawapet Mandal

10

KaRNaTaKa

FPO–DODaNahalli VeGeTable GROWeRS aSSOCiaTiON

Dodanahalli Vegetable Growers Association belongs to Dodanahalli village of Hoskote Taluka of Bangalore Rural district. This FPO has around 210 farmer members and all of them are highly progressive in terms of application of innovative methods for production as well as marketing. This FPO has established linkages for direct marketing with Bharti Walmart. Farmers pack the desired quantity of vegetables as per the requirement of the outlet and unload it at the collection centre at the village level. Then all of them weigh their produce the collection centre and pack it in different sized packets. After this, they deliver the produce to the aggregator and receive instant pre-fixed payment for their produce. This supply chain has reduced the additional commission which was being pocketed by middlemen earlier. Farmers are very pleased with this new initiative of the FPO and they are saving around 20-30 percent of the price which they were paying to commission agents and middlemen for marketing.

Tamil NaDU

In all the VIUC clusters, collection centres have been opened. In this regard, sensitisation training has been conducted. Marketing executives, marketing assistants, procurement assistants, procurement executives and accountants have been posted for the FPO to run these retail outlets and wholesale businesses. Marketing activities are being executed by the cluster farmers themselves, as a collective activity. In the area of joint procurement, seeds and pandal inputs have been purchased collectively. Around 200 qtl of vegetables like brinjal, okra, snake-gourd, bitter gourd, coccinia from cluster-based production have been transported collectively from the village to Chennai city for marketing. FPO CHPCL has established a separate retail outlet in the Manapakkam area in which all vegetables have been marketed and sold to consumers directly at a 15 percent less price than those of the other retailers in the area; hence more consumers are attracted to purchase the vegetables from the CHPCL retail outlet.

Approximately 33 percent of the funds have been utilised under the Action Plan of 2012-12

Sorting and weighing of produce at collection centre

Collection centre at Dodanahalii cluster

Loading of produce for sending to Bharti Walmart at Bangalore city

Glimpses of the inauguration of collection centre at Kanchipuram, Villupuram and Vellore

In Haryana, eight FPOs have been registered under the VIUC programme with a coverage of more than 5000 farmers. These FPOs have commenced agri-business activities. Under the VIUC programme, FPOs are made primary beneficiaries and the all other components of the scheme are focused around them. SFAC is facilitating the implementation of the scheme by providing management and technical support services towards establishment and development of post harvest management infrastructure for vegetables for FPOs, among several other schemes. Action Plans are prepared by the state-level implementing agencies under the scheme.

Presently agri-business activities are being carried out by FPOs for input and output marketing only. The FPOs are not availing

initiative for Post-harvest infrastructure Development in haryana

the facilities under the VIUC programme. Therefore, it has been proposed by SFAC to develop post-harvest management infrastructure in Haryana and some other states under the Vegetable Initiatives for Urban Cluster programme.

In this regard, a meeting was held at the Department of Horticulture, Government of Haryana, Panchkula, on 7th September 2013, in which the Executive Director and Members of Haryana State Horticulture Development Agency (HSHDA), members of Technical Support Agency of SFAC (Synergy Technofin Pvt. Ltd.) and Pradhans/President of FPOs participated to discuss the overall planning and implementation of the programme. Several points emerged from the detailed discussions during the course of the meeting which would ensure achievemnet of the objectives accomplishment of the programme.


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Proposed facilities will be integrated facilities and would have provision for upgrading to any kind of certification, at a later stage, if required. The location and sizing of the infrastructure would be such that it can be optimally utilised by the FPOs.

The following units have been proposed to be installed in the post-harvest management infrastructure:

Pre-cooling chambers��Transit cold storage vans��Grading/ sorting/washing/cleaning facility��Mezzanine floor for storage purposes��Material handling equipment etc.��Corn-seed separator.��

As a follow up to the meeting held earlier, the TSG visited the FPOs in Padana on 21 September 2013 to work out the requirements of the Collection/Aggregation Centre or Pack House, its size and necessary equipment/infrastructure to be installed. Selection of land, availability of electricity, water, cleaning, hygiene and water disposal were other factors which were looked into. Relevant business issues like purchasing of inputs, creation of storage facility, fixing price, receipt of payments etc. were discussed. As a result, the establishment of post-harvest management infrastructure in Haryana under the VIUC scheme gained momentum.

The State Nodal agency, Department of Horticulture, Haryana will act as Executive Agency and will help in arranging the funds for establishment of infrastructure. Funds will be arranged and provided by Department of Horticulture, Government of Haryana for related activities. The infrastructure will be officially subsidised and related incentives would be made available, wherever possible. The funds are limited but the Department of Horticulture would provide the necessary support and assistance to the maximum extent possible.

FPOs are being considered as commercial and viable institutions; therefore, no separate staff will be appointed to manage the company. DOH Haryana, SFAC and TSG would come forth, at the appropriate time and tenure for any suggestion and advice required. Any discussion regarding the business will be dealt solely by the FPO. In the view of the matter that post harvest management infrastructure is being established, it is desirable that the FPOs be well versed with the procedures carried out under post-harvest management. In this respect, the FPO President/Pradhans and any suitable person could be sponsored by the FPO, from the state/district for a visit to Israel, provided, the person completes the formalities required for such an official educational and training visit.

It has been decided that initially only two FPOs, in the districts of Karnal (Padana and nearby) and Sonepat (Jakholi and Manoli area) will be covered under the study. The installed infrastructure would be cost-effective and units will conform to the lates, modern, state-of-the-art post-harvest facility.

Feature article introducing Pack houses—Value addition at the Primary level

India, with diverse agro-climatic zones across the country, has the potential to cultivate a vast range of agricultural products. There are a large variety of temperate, tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables grown in India. The F&A sector in India is still largely unorganised.

Post-harvest management is necessary to reduce post-harvest losses, and for value addition. Cleaning and sorting, washing and air-drying, grading, pre-cooling, packaging, ripening, storage, transportation, market distribution are the post-harvest management methods with which there can be value addition to fruits and vegetables. Non availability of efficient packaging and sorting facilities reduces the shelf-life of the vegetables, which compels the producer to sell all the produce at once, even under conditions of glut. This consequently lowers the returns to the producer.

A Pack House is one of the very vital components of post-harvest management and is important for value addition to farm produce at the primary level. A Pack House is a place where products are brought after harvesting, to prepare them as per the market requirements. This includes washing, brushing, waxing, any other chemical treatments, grading, packing, cooling, storage and transportation. Products are

prepared with the utmost care and perfection to avoid injury or bruising of the products. Besides enhancing the cosmetic appearance of the produce, various fungicides, waxes, etc., are also used enhanced preservation and increasing the shelf-life. The necessary packaging is also done to ensure the safety of the produce while it is being transported over long distances. Packaging also helps in branding the commodity, which gives long term benefits, including making it attractive for the consumer.

Modern Pack Houses play a major role to check post-harvest losses and maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables. Here there is value addition to the farm produce before it reaches the market. Cleaning, grading and sorting will add value to the produce which will fetch higher prices in both the domestic and international markets. Establishing packing and grading facilities are the key steps to laying down the basis of a quality produce and is the first step of the value chain.

In the absence of Pack Houses, the farmers are forced to transport large volumes of their produce to the markets or sell the produce to middlemen at whatever price is offered. Sorting and grading are not done by the farmers or the middlemen, as a result of which vegetables including the lower grade and inedible portion of the plant get transported


Small FaRmeRS’ aGRibUSiNeSS CONSORTiUm(Society sponsored by Dept. of Agriculture & Cooperation, Govt. of India)NCUI Auditorium Building, 5th Floor, 3, Siri Institutional Area, August Kranti Marg Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110016Tel: +91-11-26862365, 26966017, 26966037 | Fax: +91-11- 26862367 email: [email protected] | Web: www.sfacindia.com

to markets from the field. Large quantities of biomass which could be used for value addition and processing into more usable forms are thus discarded. As per a recent ASSOCHAM Study in 2013, the Indian Horticulture industry is incurring losses of upto ` 2 trillion annually due to poor post-harvest practices and facilities. Culling of inedible vegetable portions prior to marketing and the grading of vegetables will not only increase the shelf life but reduce transportation costs and creating other remunerative by-products like biomass. The lower grade products can be used for other processed foods.

Fresh/unpacked produce

Open produce

Buyer/consumer

(Local market)

Limited safe, low price obtained

Packaged produce

Super market, retail outets, international

market

Increased income, reduced losses, cosnumer

satisfaction

Farmer’s Cooperatives and Producer Organisations are being formed under the Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters (VIUC). Such organisations can achieve collectively that which the individual farmer cannot afford independently. FPOs should therefore be encouraged to establish Pack Houses near the farm to strengthen the marketing of high quality produce. The Initiative, is also addressing the development of entire value chains as one of its objectives. Under this component, the creation of Pack Houses is one component under post-harvest management for which a support of up to ` 3 lakhs per unit of dimensions of 9m × 6m is being provided. In this the promoter’s share will be 50% of the cost of the project. FPOs can apply to avail of this subsidy for construction. One such structure can benefit approximately 100 farmers.

Vegetables are extremely perishable goods. They start losing moisture immediately after harvesting; therefore, the first point of consideration is the choice of a location for establishing a Pack House. Proximity to the farm is desirable, so that produce reaches the Pack House in the least possible time with minimum damage to the produce. It should be well connected to roads and should be spacious enough to allow the entry and movement of big vehicles. There must be scope for expansion in the long term with cross ventilated rooms. The plot should be leveled to facilitate the easy movement of produce and packages. It will be better to choose a shady place to keep the structure cool for most part of the day.

The basic infrastructure required for the construction of a Pack House of 9m × 6m dimensions and 500 kg/hr installation capacity are mentioned below:

Construction of brick and cemented structure (with doors, ��windows and ventilators)

Leveled floor ��

Electricity, light fittings��

Water tank��

Major components of the unit are:

Sterilization unit��

Inspection table��

Grading unit��

Weighing unit��

Polythene sealer ��

Plastic pots and crates��

The Pack House should be provided with proper electricity, refrigeration, water supply and drainage facilities. Lighting level should be below eye level to prevent strain and glare. Depending upon the scale, refrigeration units and other machinery could be modelled to suit the marketing requirements of produce. Proper water supply with drainage is a necessity even for a small unit. Space should be kept for the loading/unloading and weighing of the produce. The internal layout of the Pack House should facilitate the following activities:

Reception Removal of rejects Sorting Grading

Special treatment like waxing/ polishing/

fumigation/chemical treatment

Dispatch

There should be provision for refrigeration, chemical fumigation, waxing, polishing and other special procedures for particular products. Culled produce can further be utilised for processing purposes by FPO members. In effect a Pack House can generate further business opportunities in its vicinity. Pickles, jams, purees, pulps, dehydration of vegetables and spices are some of the value-additions that processing at the secondary level can generate.

Since the location of the Pack House will be near farms the beneficiary farmers of FPO and other farmers can themselves provide produce to be sorted, graded and packaged. Additional employment will be generated for women from farmer households and other non-farming populace in the cluster at both the primary and secondary levels of the value addition process.

For marketing of their produce, most of the producer companies have tied–up with retailers and other market outlets. The FPOs will be provided with the necessary strategic support and guidance throughout this process by way of training and awareness programmes.

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