SUBHASH MISHRA
Ranchi, Sept 28: Sidho Kanho Agriculture and Forest Produce State Co-operative Federation Ltd (SIDHKOFED), Ranchi held a workshop on procurement and remunerative pricing of Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) and agricultural produce.
Over 400 representatives of LAMPS (Large Area Multi-Purpose Societies )/PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) across the state participated in the programme which was held at Palash Meeting Hall, Doranda, Ranchi on Wednesday afternoon.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) cum SIDHKOFED Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sanjeev Kumar (IFS) inaugurated the workshop and said that the programme has been organized over the role of SIDHKOFED in procuring NTFP and agriculture produce directly from the farmer and how it would be advantageous for them.
“The objective of this programme is to mitigate the unjust exploitation often faced by farmers at the hands of intermediaries and traders,” he said. The Chief Executive Officer also spoke about the road map for NTFO procurement and the livelihood of farmers
The official said that the proficient LAMPS/PACS were identified and designated as Primary Procurement Agency (PPA). These appointed PPAs will spearhead the procurement of agricultural products like rice, pulses, gram, mustard and ragi from local farmers, as well as minor forest produce such as lac, mahua, tamarind, honey, tasar cocoon, karanj. This initiative holds immense benefits for farmers, ensuring they receive fair market prices for their produce.
Participant farmers said that they gained valuable insights into cooperative facilities and the procurement of NTFP and agricultural produce. It will spearhead the procurement of minor forest produce and agricultural commodities through LAMPS/PACS.
NeML, an online trading platform specializing in agriculture and minor forest produce, provided detailed information to participants about how NTFP and agricultural produce would be bought and sold through the NeML platform.
In the workshop, the Programme Monitoring Unit (PMU) presented a comprehensive overview of SIDHKOFED’s operations, including the advantages, disadvantages and terms and conditions of procurement, as well as the role of PPA and payment terms.
