NATIONAL ARGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PROJECT

Sub-Project: Sustainable Rural Livelihoods through Enhanced Farming System Productivity and Efficient Support Systems in Rainfed Regions ON ICT, MARKET ORIENTATION PROGRAMME

LINKAGES AND AGRI RISK MANAGEMENT - KHARIF 2010 [CRIDA/ IKISAN /SAIRD-KVK]

Table of Contents
Table of Contents................................................................................................................. 1 Program Schedule:............................................................................................................... 2 Introduction:......................................................................................................................... 3 ICT Session:.......................................................................................................................... 4 Market Linkage Session:.......................................................................................................5 Agri Risk Management Sessions:..........................................................................................5 Conclusion:......................................6 List of participants of the programme:.....................................6

8th July 2010Venue: Hotel MNR,

Suryapet, Nalgonda District

Consortia Partner Ikisan Limited

No.1, Nagarjuna Hills, Punjagutta Hyderabad-82

Program Schedule: Time Session 10.00 A.M - 10.30 A.M Registration and Inauguration Welcome Note 10.30 A.M - 11.00 A.M Opening remarks Resource Person Dr. G Gopal Reddy Secretary, SAIRD-KVK Dr. Ramineni Veeraiah, Programme Coordinator, NAIP, SAIRD-KVK

11.00 A.M - 11.15 A.M Tea Break 11.15A.M 12.30 A.M Session I Dr. K.Ravishankar, Sr. Importance of ICT in Agriculture and initiatives Scientist, CRIDA, under NAIP SRL Project. Hyderabad. Session II Essentials of effective market linkages with retail chains-Study of Mango procurement by Heritage. Lunch Break Mr. Chandrasekhar, Asst. Manager, Heritage Foods India Ltd.

12.30 P.M - 1.30 P.M

1.30 P.M 2.30 P.M

2.30 P.M - 3.30 P.M

Session III Role of insurance in Crop Production Tea Break Farmers experiences with retailers-Mango Concluding Session: Vote of Thanks

Mr. L Uday Kiran, Ikisan Ltd., Hyderabad

3.30 P.M - 3.45 P.M 3.45 P.M - 4.30 P.M 4.30 P.M

Mr. B.Senthilkumar Mr. S.Dastagiri, Ikisan Limited, Hyderabad

Introduction: The orientation programme is intended to create a platform for interaction between farmers and industry experts. Farmers reaction to the programme and feedback has motivated to extend the programme to all the other clusters as well. Keeping in regard the recent transaction of mango from Dupahad cluster it was taken the next place to organize the programme. Orientation Programme lays emphasis on the three important topics viz. Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Market Linkages and Agri Risk Management. Experts from these fields were invited to interact with cluster farmers. Around eighty farmers participated in the programme. Introductory notes were given by Mr. Syed Dastagiri, Project Manager, Ikisan Ltd. He greeted the dignitaries and farmers who attended the programme. The purpose of coming up with such an orientation programme was explained by him. He said that the objective of the programme is to impart knowledge about the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in agriculture.
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He The as an

the objective of sustainability.

briefed about the National Agricultural Innovation Project and highlighted the emphasis it makes on ICTs. programme has been planned by Ikisan under the project orientation and training for farmers of Dupahad cluster. Association of SAIRD-KVK and its objectives were also briefed. He said that important components like Market Linkages and Agri Risk Management are also included in programme as they play a vital role in supporting the

Dr. G Gopal Reddy was requested to give welcome note. He talked on making

He has reiterated that the Knowledge Share Centre (KSC) set up at cluster has to be used up to the maximum level. He suggested that it should also be made a platform to carry out other operations as well. The point to ponder over now he said is sustainability of the KSC building. In this regard he has advised the Salaha Samiti of the area to take up the responsibility. He asked them to plan for revenue generation in order to sustain the set up even after the project terminates. He has also discussed on the difficulties in Market Linkage for Milk Procurement, an initiative taken by Ikisan with Reliance diary in the Jamisthapur. He expressed much concern over its failure. He said the reasons are not clear but that there were mistakes from both the sides involved in the linkage. Mr. Dakya Naik, Member of the Salaha Samiti and representative of Kodur Thanda village has spoken for a while. He made his speech concise. He said that the notable change because of the project is that the farmers now are not solely dependent on agriculture but also concentrating on allied activities like dairy and poultry. Following this, Dr. Ramineni Veeraiah was invited to give opening remarks for the programme. ICT Session: Dr. K Ravishankar explained the importance of ICTs and the many ways it could be utilized by residents of the cluster. She said that the KSC belongs to the farmers. She emphasized that the use of KSC extends to farmers children also. While detailing the services farmers expressed disconcert that they are not able to use them much because of frequent power failure. For this Dr. Nagasree explained that very soon the issue would be resolved. She said that discussions are going on with ISRO, Hyderabad for provision of inverters to KSC buildings. Once this happens she said there would not be a problem with IVRS service also. She explained that this particular institute expressed interest in providing rural information apart from agriculture through the projects information kiosks. Farmers of Kodur Thanda expressed the difficulty of commuting to the KSC located around two kilometers away. Dr. Nagasree answered that instead of going to Mahaboob Nagar for crop advisory, internet services etc. which is farther they can avail the services at KSC much closer to their places. She said it saves time and money for them. She anticipates technical assistance from ISRO in two to three months.
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Mr.Syed Dastagiri thanked Dr. K Ravishankar for the light he has thrown on ICTs in agriculture. He reminded farmers that the purpose of the programme is to let them know information on ICT and other components. He requested them not to get diverted into other issues like seed distribution etc. Market Linkage Session: One of the interesting speeches was by Mr. Chandrasekhar, Asst. Manager, fruit and vegetable category for Heritage Foods India Pvt. Ltd. In fact the most interactive session has been on market linkages. Many farmers have participated in the discussion actively. Dr. Hussain, General Manager for Reliance Dairy hence followed with his speech on Dairy and its importance in India. Before talking on this topic he reminded the boom of mobile technology in the context of ICT. He said that this particular revolution has transformed lives and expects ICT initiative in agriculture to be the next. Explaining about his background he said that he has been in dairy business from the last two decades. He admitted that much of his learning is from the farmer though he is a graduate in dairy technology. He explained the importance of dairy and milk marketing. He said that the average levels of milk consumption should be maintained which is around 300g per head. India is the highest in milk production and cattle but it still remains back in per head consumption. He explained the importance of breed selection when buying cattle. He conveyed that Jamisthapur has a good potential of milk production and that Mahaboob Nagar is the ideal district in the whole of Telangana in milk production and marketing. Farmers said that around 300-400 liters can be supplied in Jamisthapur. As the town is in viscinity they would like to sell it in Mahaboob Nagar. They said they generally sell milk to households and hotels. They admitted that they adulterate milk but gets a fair price. The price offered is Rs. 20-25 per lit they say. Reacting to these statements Dr. Hussain said that there definitely is a good price for quality milk. He explained the importance of Solid Non Fat (SNF) in milk. He said that there are total eight BMCs in Mahaboob Nagar. The equipment in BMC is Rs. 1.5 lac worth that could not be tampered in any case. He highlighted the fact that Mahabubangar, Medak and Nizamabad districts together supplies 60,000 liters of quality milk to Reliance Dairy. He concluded the speech by asked the farmers to adapt clean habits for better quality and hence fair price. Mr. Tulasi Naidu added to this and emphasized the need to maintain quality to become globally competitive. He took the example of coffee beans of Araku Valley to explain this. Agri Risk Management Sessions: First session post lunch was made by Mr. V Sreenivasa Rao, Admin Officer from AICI. He started explaining crop insurance under the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS). He suggested that all non loanee farmers should opt for crop insurance in order to feel a sense of security. He said that 12 crops for Kharif and 8 crops for Rabi will be insured under government scheme. Village as a unit of insurance is made to only one crop per district as the complications involved in such a system are vast. Earlier till 1997 he said that there was no provision for farmer to directly approach AICI and insure his crop. He said that now the provision is there. So he advised farmers to use the opportunity at the fullest level. He made his speech short and asked farmers to pose questions instead. Farmers asked about the indemnity, loss calculations, claim settlements and that procedure of applying for insurance.
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He patiently explained all their questions. The session lasted or around one hour. He finally concluded that Weather Insurance products of AICI have been launched. He said that weather insurance operates from this year in Adilabad and Khammam for cotton and Warrangal for chilli crop. Conclusion: Mr. B Senthil Kumar gave closing remarks for the programme. He thanked everyone who participated for coming and patiently listening to all the sessions. He quoted special thanks to all the dignitaries to have made time to participate. Mr. Syed Dastagiri added to his comments that the farmers have been very organized and punctual. He thanked them for being so organized. Mr. P Dasharath, BIRD-AP expressed gladness that the farmers have been so cooperative. He said this programme has bought up confidence in him that the institute can organize such events with ease given cooperation of this level. He thanked Ikisan Ltd. and dignitaries. Also Salaha Samiti members Mr. Mogalayya, Mr. Yadayya Goud gave feedback that the programme imported in them lot of knowledge on ICT and other issues. Mrs. Laxmi Bai of Kodur Thanda village said that information on dairy tips by Dr. Padmakar Rao will be useful. Programme concluded at around 4:30 PM. Distribution of bags has been done to all the participated famers before leaving as a token of thanks giving.

List of participants of the programme: Resource Persons 1. CRIDA a. Dr. K Ravishankar, Scientist (Sr Sc.) 2. Heritage Foods India Pvt. Ltd. a. Mr. Chandrasekhar, Asst. Manager, F&V sector Farmer representatives 1. T. Bucchanna, Telgu Gudem 2. Dakya Naik, Kodur Thanda 3. G.Yadayya Goud, Jamisthapur Organizers 1. Ikisan Limited a. Mr. B Senthil Kumar, Manager Projects b. Mr. Syed Dastagiri, Project Manager c. Mr. Uday Kiran L, SRF (ML/ARM) 2. SAIRD - KVK a. Mr. S Suresh, RA b. Mr. D Nagengra, SRF c. Mr. Ramulu, Assistant d. Mr. D Nagaiah, KSC Operator Farmers Village: Jamisthapur 1. D. Mogulaiah Goud 2. B. Ramachandraiah
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3. G. Narasimhulu 4. J. Srinu 5. G. Chandraiah 6. Vijay Kumar 7. Bheemaiah 8. Anjaneyulu Goud 9. Shyam 10. Madhava Reddy 11. Satish 12. Raju 13. Sudhakar Reddy 14. G. Srinivas 15. V. Bala Goud 16. G.Kesavulu 17. Krishnaiah 18. Ramesh Village: Telugu Gudem 1. Mandani Laxmaiah 2. P. Venkataiah

N. Siddaiah K. Vollaraiah K. Shankaraiah V. Narasimhulu T. Chinna Hanumanthu A. Masanna 9. K. Poshanna 10. T. Manyakunda 11. Ramsingh 12. Venkata Ramana 13. Ramulu 14. A. Narasimlu 15. K. Bheemaiah Village: Kodur Thanda 1. Rukya Naik 2. Venkya Naik 3. Bhadrya Naik 4. Soni Bai 5. Bikini Bai 6. Ichya Naik 7. Sankar Naik 8. Narayana 9. Ramulamma 10. Chandi Bai 11. Bichya Naik 12. Padmamma 13. Devamma 14. Adibiya Naik 15. Nelamma 16. Kiran

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.