Success Stories - Two FPOs - Tough Areas - Himachal Pradesh - District Chamba -

 

A Look at Two Successful FPOs – A Tough Area – Hill State Himachal Pradesh – District Chamba – An Aspiration District

Dinesh K Kapila

Himachal Pradesh  is a tough state to undertake developmental initiatives, in terms of logistics specially. Scattered population, small hamlets, distance magnified by the winding roads and hence costs, sensitisation takes time as the population is scattered, weather conditions specially in the upper reaches by way  of heavy snow and in the lower reaches a prolonged monsoon are other aspects.

The advantage is the commitment of the administration as compared to many other states, an educated and aware populace, a real hunger for progress, a committed set of volunteers and social institutions. However a lack of entrepreneurship is a major barrier though this is improving now. Besides, a limited population imposes limits on demand even if production scales up.    

Chamba is a comparatively backward district and really a tough region to iperate in and when success emerges in such regions, it sort of sets a real positivity across all stakeholders. Here two success stories are discussed.    

NABARD has always undertaken developmental initiatives and executed them but has somehow shied away from highlighting the range of such initiatives and the tremendous benefits which accrue over a period of time. A concern always is the dependency syndrome but then that is sought to be overcome by training and empowerment. In any case NABARD has to disengage after a reasonable period as the essence of development would be for the initiative to be internalized by the beneficiaries and for them to scale up or stabilise it at optimum level of revenue or benefits or people benefitted.

There is a position of DDMs – District Development Managers – I and so did many others gained tremendously from a first hand close hands on exposure to the developmental initiatives and governance at the District Level. They are of course backed by the State Level Office but a committed DDM can just about determine the success and the level of success of a developmental project. The FPOs discussed here are again the outcome of efforts by the State Level Office, the DDM, the NGO CEVA, the Deputy Commissioner / ADC by his / her  backing, the association of the District and Sub Division / Block level Officers from Agriculture / Horticulture Departments and the willingness of the targeted group to absorb the training.    

Success Story FPO The Indrunag Fruit and Vegetable Producer cooperative Society Ltd., Samra, Distt. Chamba (H.P.)

The Indrunag Fruit and Vegetable Producer Cooperative Society, Samra has been established by National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Collective Efforts for Voluntary Action (CEVA) in District Chamba in the year 2018. The FPO is working with the aim to strengthen the small and marginal farmer by giving them opportunities for their development and sustainability.  

Beneficiaries

The small marginal farmers of the region are getting benefitted from the project. It is covering both male and female farmers. Currently it has 330 members. This creditable considering the tough mountainous terrain.

 

The Challenge

 Before the establishment of FPO, the marginal or small farmers of the region did farming for their subsistence only. Being a remote and hilly region there was no provision of earning livelihood and the farmers depended on seasonal agriculture or forest-based products. They were facing major challenges as regards access to markets and the absolute involvement of middleman in selling the produce. Also they were using tedious and age old low productivity farming practices. Consequently, the farmers were suffering from poor productivity, weak market orientation, no facility for value addition, post-harvest losses etc.  Due to these constraints they were restricted by way of limitations on how to expand their business, to raise their incomes and financial status. The other challenges were a lack of proper infrastructure and economic constraints like the unavailability of labour during harvesting and lack of technical skills of labour, marketing constraints like distant market and high cost of transportation and perishable nature of products etc.

Initiative

Under the guidelines of NABARD, CEVA organized a FPO for the welfare of farmers of the region.   CEVA initially mobilized the  farmers to become its member and worked on building their capacities to collectively leverage their production and marketing strength. The FPO has now got a license from the FSSAI for selling the produce.  With the intervention of NABARD, the FPO has its own fertilizer outlet license.  Other assistance by way off rent and maintenance of outlet has also been taken care off by NABARD.

Solution /Approach

To curb the major challenge which the small marginal farmers were facing, CEVA has provided a market linkage to sell the organic produce. The society has established a direct relationship with buyer without the involvement of any middleman. The branding of the products has also been done. Now the farmers are able to sell the organic produce directly at optimum rates and the  turnover of FPO in the Financial Year 2021-22 was around 40 lakhs.

Training and workshops

The trainings and workshops have helped in the transition of the FPO to adopt a production oriented approach to a more value addition and agribusiness focused approach.  CEVA has conducted constructive training and workshops for farmers and stressed better farming techniques with the help of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Chamba. Farmers have learnt about modern eco friendly and time saving techniques in organic farming. Training for the Board of Directors and the CEO of the FPO has also conducted at KVK Chamba and online training has also provided.

 

Activities of the FPO

The Farmers are engaged in natural farming and producing pulses, cereals, millets, Dry Fruit, apple and vegetables. They are also making the best use of valuable forest products like, walnut, apricot etc. for value addition such as Walnut oil, Apricot oil, Jams, pickles are prepared. Grading, sorting, packaging of produce is being organized and the retailing is through various markets through both the online and physical mode.

The FPO is participating in various state and national level fairs exhibitions and doing a reasonable  business. The products are being appreciated by discerning individual buyers from all over the country.

Impact

CEVA with the assistance of NABARD has given a potential opportunity for sustainable agriculture and livelihood to the deprived tribal community. Now the marginal farmer has been transformed into progressive farmer. They are generating a good income and raising their livelihood through FPO. The members are getting improved returns, market access, credit linkages, processing and value addition, agro services and inputs and getting strengthened.

 

The Second FPO – The Pangi Kisan Utpadak Cooperative Society Ltd - established by National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD and Collective Efforts for Voluntary Action (CEVA) in Pangi Block of Chamba in 2015. This is a very tough region, with an average elevation of 12000 feet.

The FPO is working with the aim to strengthen the Tribal farmer capacity through agriculture best practices for enhanced productivity, access and usage to quality inputs, facilitating access to fair market. 

Beneficiaries/Members

It is covering both male and female farmers. Currently it has 410 members and their families (around 2500 -3000 people) are getting benefitted.

The Challenge

 Before the establishment of FPO, marginal or small farmers of the region did farming for their subsistence only. Being a remote and hilly region there was no provision of earning livelihood and they depended on seasonal agriculture or forest based products. The Poor marginal farmers faced major challenges as regards market accessibility and the involvement of middleman in selling the produce. The challenges were similar as in the first FPO.

I personally interviewed a few progressive farmers from this area and learnt first hand as to how they used to transport their produce by carrying it on their back. All the way to Kangra district.

Initiative/Intervention

Do try the website – https://pangihills.com. This will be a great idea and if you buy some products, then even better. CEVA has its own website at https://cevahimalayan.org.

Under the guidelines of NABARD, CEVA has opened the FPO for the development of farmers of the region.   CEVA initially mobilized the community farmers to become its member and build their capacities to collectively leverage their production and marketing strength.

 Initially there were 50 members in Pangi Kisan Utpadak co-operative society and gradually their number has been raised to 410.  This is actually very creditable.

The society has availed credit for Rs 5 lakh o acquire a vehicle which is proving very beneficial to the farmers. Under the BDA scheme, it is eligible for grant and will soon start a retail van which will run across district and other districts also. An FPO outlet for sale of input supply has also established in Pangi.                                                                                                          FPO . The FPOs last year (2021-22) had a turnover of around Rs 85 lakh.

Solution /Approach

To curb the major challenge which the small marginal farmers were facing, CEVA has provided a market linkage to sell the farm and forest produce. Over the period of time the society has established a direct relationship with buyer without the involvement of any middleman and has expanded the business tie ups. Now the farmers can sell the organic produce directly at reasonable rates.

 Activities of the FPO

Farmers have engaged in organic farming and producing pulses, cereals, millets, honey, herbal tea, apples and vegetables. They are also making best use of valuable forest products like hazelnut, walnut, apricot etc. for value addition. FPO is also promoting indigenous herbs and medicinal plants.  It is also selling through online e-portal of Pangi hills rural mart. FPO is participating in various state and national level fairs exhibitions and doing great business. The products are being appreciated by people all over the country. The products are reaching

Impact

CEVA with the assistance of NABARD has given a potential opportunity for sustainable agriculture and livelihood to the deprived tribal community. Now the marginal farmer has been transformed into progressive farmer. They are generating a good income and raising their livelihood through FPO. The members are getting improved returns, market access, credit linkages, processing and value addition, agro services and inputs and getting strengthened gradually.