Workshop on Contract Farming

(In collaboration with DPMT CAIM, Marico Ltd., and SSP, Mumbai)  Date: 8^th September ૨૦૧૧

Guest Faculty: Hon. Shri. Udayji Rathod, District Collector, Washim, Mr. Rajendra Deore, DPM, CAIM Washim, Mr. S. M. Patil Executive Agriculture Development, Marico Ltd., Mumbai and Mr. M. K. Attar, TAO, Washim

The Convergence of Agricultural Interventions in Maharashtra (CAIM) has organized workshop on contract farming on 8^th September 2011 to its Washim block cluster village farmers in joint collaboration with CAIM DPMT, Marico Ltd., and SSP Mumbai.

The workshop was formally inaugurated by Mr. Attar, TAO Washim and after that Mr. Rajendra Deore, District Project Manager, DPMT Washim in his introductory speech summarized the objectives of the workshop as the safflower crop is a Rabi crop and the best season for sowing i.e 15 sep to 15 Oct is very nearer and it is effort to start the activity to get benefit of the season and gave brief presentation on CAIM project and presence in Washim district

and it’s cluster approach for implementation and also shared information on project’s main components Institutional Capacity Building & Partnerships, SHG & CMRC Development and Programme Management in his introduction speech.

After the objectives of the one day contract farming workshop, the private player Marico Ltd., Mumbai representative Mr. S. M. Patil gave details on contract farming concept. He gave the ongoing work in the Washim district villages and participation of farmers, who are already involved in the contract farming with Marico Ltd.

During his presentation given focus on following topic to the participants.     What is contract farming?     Benefits of contract farming.     Terms and conditions of contract farming     Agreement details     Price assurance.   Technical support during contract farming period.

The Marico Ltd., is willing to give support on technical guidance for Safflower, who are involved in the contract farming. The company will support and guiding on whole crop profile contents like required land pattern, sowing period, distance in between two rows, selection of variety, internal cultivation practices, irrigation pattern, crop protection, pest and diseases control measures and quality production.

Hon. Shri. Udayji Rathod, District Collector gave time from his busy schedule of the day and had interaction with the contract farming workshop participants. He shared own experience and observations on the current farming practices and farmers priority for growing the crop’s in the Washim district. He   introduced agriculture based enterprises like dairy production, fishery production and shared observations on that.

He also reviewed social and economical constraint of the Washim district farmers and explained to get benefits from CAIM project activities to increase their own house hold level income. He also gave suggestion to willing ownership within developed infrastructure at the village level and take responsibility for operation and maintenance for sustainability.

Mr. M. K. Attar, TAO, Washim gave details on different ongoing schemes like “Shetkari Janta Apghat Vima Yojana”, Seed Distribution etc. and crated enabling environment with the participants and tried build close relationship with government departments. He also suggested to take multi crops within available own land to avoid losses during the crop production and market rate of the produce.

He suggested avoiding mono cropping system, which is currently practiced by the farmers to maintain the soil fertility and production average. He also gave guidance on soil fertility and benefits of the crop diversification.

The formal vote of thanks were delivered to all the guests, krushi doot, participants’ farmers, women farmers, were given by Mr. Sarjerao Dhawale, M&E Officer DPMT CAIM. The whole programme was coordinated by Mr. Goverdhan Chavhan, Agri Business Expert, DPMT CAIM Washim.