Farmer Producer
Organisations:
Enhancing People's Livelihoods
Niwari,
earlier a part of Tikamgarh district, was observed as a separate
district, with effect from 1st October, 2018. It has 127 village panchayats. However, in terms of area covered and population, it is
considered the smallest one. Niwari covers an area of 1,170 square kilometres,
with a population of approximately 4,04,807. The main occupation of the
people living here is
agriculture and animal husbandry.
Development Alternatives (DA) for 30 years,
has been providing support and guidance for sustainable development in
this district. DA believes in strengthening local community institutions
to enhance livelihoods of people. In the year 2015, DA helped set up a
‘Niwari Farmer Producer Company Limited’, in this district funded by
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The main
purpose of this institution was related to seed production, input
management and better price realisation of the farm produce through
aggregation, grading, value addition, packaging, branding and market
linkage. This ensured the producer company earns profits through reduced
input cost, better price
of produce and seed production. Further, the operational management, was
taken care of by the ten elected Board of Directors of this company and
one CEO. Among these Board of Directors, one of them holds the Managing
Director position. Table 1 states the number of members of the company.
Figure 2 is a graphical representation of the same.
Niwari often faces problems arising out of
dry spells and droughts. This is a challenge for the company. When in
2015-16, the district was hit by drought, the company decided to get
into some ventures to keep it functioning. For this purpose, vegetable
seeds, cattle fodder and dry snacks made by women, were sold to sustain
the company business. Further, the company felt the need of
collaboration with other organisations to move forward. Partnership
building has taken place with Green India Foundation, National Seeds
Corporation, Pragati Seeds and Sakshi FPO for purchase of seeds, herbs
and vermin compost and sale of the same to the community. Table 3 gives
a detailed
description of the same.
Post this, one bigha of land was taken on
rent (12,500 rupees per annum) for making income by practicing
innovative farming methods. First, fenugreek was grown and then papaya
plants were planted, under the agroforestry model. This further assisted
the company to expand and sustain its business in to
new high. ■
Gyas Ahmed
gahmed@devalt.org
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