‘Vikel to Pikel’ gives farmers confidence.
1 thousand 245 direct sales system in the district.
The ‘Vickel to Pickle’ campaign launched by the government to get not only guaranteed prices for agricultural commodities but also
special prices is proving to be useful for the farmers. The campaign has set up a direct sales system from farmers to consumers in 1,245 places in the district. This sales system has given good confidence to the farmers.
This ambitious campaign was launched on September 10, 2020, with the concept of Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. The main objective of this campaign is to provide local markets for the sale of agricultural commodities, to rehabilitate the cropping systems and farming methods which are in demand in the world market and from which the farmers can get higher income. Under the campaign, Sant Shiromani Sawta Mali Rayat Bazaar campaign has been started in the Pune district and a direct sales system has been set up from farmers to consumers. Today, 1 thousand 352 places have been fixed and actual sales have started in 1 thousand 245 places.
Due to the facilitation of the sale of agricultural commodities, farmers are getting good prices for their hard-earned produce and consumers are also getting good quality products. This arrangement has benefited both the farmers and the consumers. In addition, farmers are being encouraged to grow the products that are in demand in the market. As a result of this campaign, grains and pulses along with fresh vegetables are available to the customers in our area.
In every taluka of Pune district, farmers, as well as farmer groups, are being provided with the sale of farm produce in at least 100 places. A total of 250 farmer groups in the district, farmer producer companies, wholesale buyers, processors, as well as exporters, are being added under the commodity value chain.
Brands for sale of commodities
A total of 52 value chain development projects are being implemented in the district for the crops produced and brands are being developed for the sale of agricultural commodities. Paddy growers in the paddy belt have moved for direct sale. The brand of rice produced by the farmers of Velha taluka is ‘Rajtoran’. This year, more than 22 tonnes of rice has been sold during the Corona period. Through this brand of Danka has reached the villages. In addition, farmers in Velhe taluka have sold 35 to 40 tonnes of Rajgad brand rice directly during the Corona period and are getting a spontaneous response from consumers. The brand ‘Mahasatva’ has been developed in Mulshi taluka in which rice and nachani are sold directly from farmers to consumers during the Corana period.
Good rates due to branding
In order to sell the brand ‘Rajtoran’, the farmers were given bags, weighing forks and sewing machines for packing 5 kg, 10 kg and 25 kg of rice. Here new customers have been created by getting good prices for the agricultural produce of the farmers. As a result of this bread, the price of farmers’ rice has gone up from Rs 60 to Rs 65 per kg, an increase of Rs 10 to 15 per kg.
Institutional connection for sale of farm produce
Efforts are being made to cultivate high-value crops under the project as well as to get them at reasonable rates by obtaining Geographical Indication (GI). Under the campaign, departments like Co-operation, Marketing etc. as well as NABARD schemes have been integrated and facilities have been provided to the farmer’s groups to sell their produce directly to the consumers. Processors, exporters, cooperative stores, housing societies are being connected for the sale of manufactured agricultural commodities.
The weekly market for direct sale
Provided a list of 23 seats in Pune Municipal Corporation limits. The Maharashtra FPO Federation has selected 6 places in the municipal area for the weekly market and 41 farmer manufacturing companies are keen for it. Shri Swami Samarth Shetkari Utpadak Company is keen to start a weekly market for 4 seats through 360 farmer groups and 18 Shetkari Utpadak Company. Ajra Ghansal Shetkari Utpadak Company is keen to start a weekly market through 37 farmer groups in 4 places. Places have been identified for starting markets at 12 places in the municipal area.
Copshop’s sales chain developed
Co-operation, Marketing Corporation etc. The schemes of the department are being integrated and the farmer groups have the facility to sell their produce directly to the consumers. Under this, a copshop sales chain has been developed in collaboration with the Co-operative Development Corporation. Direct sales from farmers to consumers will help strengthen this medium.
Farmers will be able to study the exact demand of cities, suburbs, food processing industry, exporters, so they will confidently take the required crops and make progress for themselves and their families. It goes without saying that the ‘Vikel to Pickel’ campaign will be an important tool for the economic upliftment of the farmers, giving them experience in the market and sales system!
