The Training on Marketing of Agricultural Commodities

A one-day training on Marketing of Agricultural Commodities was organized by our Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Mahadanapuram on 22.12.14 to educate farmers, farm women and rural youth on the systematic approaches needed for marketing, the strategies to be adopted and various Govt. Schemes available for marketing. The training programme was organized keeping in mind the poor returns realised by farmers in the marketing front. In this programme, progressive farmers, Officials from Department of Marketing, Agriculture, Horticulture, NABARD, Cooperatives and Successful entrepreneurs participated and addressed the gathering. Shri V. Rajaram, President, Cauvery Delta Farmers Association presided over the programme. The Technical sessions were handled by Dr. Selvam, Executive Director, Agri Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Cell of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Trichy and the successful entrepreneur Mr Senthil Kumar from Trichy. Apart from Technical sessions, there were also exhibits of value added products of millets, oilseeds, fruits and moringa. The training started with the welcome address by Dr. L. Malathi, Subject Matter Specialist (Home Science). The Programme Coordinator of KVK Karur Dr. J. Diraviam in his introductory address shared the plight of farmers of various commodities, who were unable to get remunerative prices for their commodities and stressed the need for adopting marketing strategy well before the start of season. He emphasized that cooperative efforts by farmers can only lead to better returns to farmers, which has been evidenced by the success of Nachalur Farmers Producers Co Ltd and the Nadayanur Agricultural Producers Co. Ltd in Karur district. He highlighted that cooperation among farmers can only deliver them from the clutches of middlemen. He further assured that the KVK would extend all technical support and help farmers to form Producer Organizations. Shri V. Rajaram in his presidential address shared the experience of Tamil Nadu Banana Growers Company and stressed that proper adoption of technologies at all stages of crop production can only result in good quality produce that would in turn help in getting better price for their produce. He also lauded the efforts of Cooperative Sector for providing cold storage facility through Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies. He encouraged farm women to take up vegetable cultivation in homesteads and marketing in local markets for regular cash income for the family. Mr A. Parthiban, Assistant General Manager (District Development), NABARD briefed about need for formation of Producer Groups and stressed that this would be possible only when there is cooperation among farmers. He explained about the modalities for formation of Producer Organization through NABARD. He also highlighted the need for sorting, grading as well as value addition for better prices. He also informed that when more number farmers become part of the Producer Organization, they can approach SFAC for financial assistance. He also encouraged the participants to undergo training on value addition through KVK and VUTRC.

The Deputy Director of Marketing Mr Rajendran briefed about the various schemes operated through their Department such as National Mission on Food Processing, SFAC and other schemes under marketing. The Director of Agriculture (Farmers Training Centre) Mr.P.Madanagopal listed the successful entrepreneurs in the district and motivated the farmers to avail the services of such farmers. The Deputy Director of Horticulture, Karur Mrs Valarmathi explained about the Peri Metro scheme for cultivation and marketing of vegetables. The Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, Mrs Deepa Shankari outlined the schemes of the Cooperative sector and the infrastructure available for cold storage and ripening of bananas. She also assured that Cooperative Department would help in marketing by organizing auction for agricultural commodities. In the technical session, Dr Selvam, Executive Director, Agri Marketing Intelligence and Business Promotion Cell of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, Trichy explained in detail about the Scientific approaches for marketing of agricultural commodities. He motivated the participants to change their mindset to start growing crops based on market demand. As more production always led to less profit, he highlighted the benefits of Offseason cultivation of crops for maximum returns. He also cited examples of crop varieties that had more preference. Mr Subramanian of the Thottiyam Banana growers group who is involved in production of Solar dryed banana fruits shared his experience in production and marketing of value added banana products. The Successful entrepreneur Mr Senthil Kumar from Trichy explained about the various organic products marketed by him and the strategies to be adopted for pricing the product. He also assured to guide SHG women in marketing of their products. The programme was recorded by AIR Trichy for broadcasting. There were about 100 participants comprising of farmers, farm women, SHGs, rural youth, entrepreneurs. The participants actively participated in the discussion.