Pollachi Member of Parliament, Shanmugasundaram participated in the function held at the Rotary Hall, Pollachi and delivered a keynote address in the launch of two new farmer production companies in Coimbatore district on behalf of Isha Outreach
Coimbatore: Isha Outreach today launched two new farmer production companies in Coimbatore district. Pollachi Member of Parliament, Shanmugasundaram participated in the function held at the Rotary Hall, Pollachi and delivered a keynote address.
Pollachi District Deputy Collector Thackeray Subham Gnanadev Rao, Cynthia Hospital Chairman Dr. Varadarajan, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman G.D. Gopal Krishnan were present and greeted.
Pollachi MP Shanmugasundar speaking on behalf of Isha on the newly started Agrarian Producers' Companies said “Isha Outreach and the Small Farmers Agri Consortium (SFAC) under the Central Department of Agriculture today launched the Arulmigu Someswarar Agrarian Producers 'Company in Anaimalai and the Sri Velayuthasamy Agrarian Producers' Company in Kinathukadavu.
Each of these 2 organizations has 300 farmer members.”
Isha's Velliangiri Agrarian Producers' Company has been a pioneer in setting up several agro-manufacturing companies in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts, where farmers are more numerous. Similarly, these two newly started companies should perform better and become role models for many more agro-manufacturing companies to start.
According to a 1970 census in India, the average farmer owned 2.3 hectares of agricultural land. However, in the 2015 census, that amount dropped to 1.08 hectares. With so little land available, it is very difficult for farmers to farm individually and make a profit. Instead a thousand farmers can start a farmer producer company together and see good profits if they sell their produce. Also, they can export their products abroad.
“In 2019, DAP fertilizer sold for Rs.15,000 per ton in the global market. However, at present the price of a tonne of DAP fertilizer has multiplied to Rs.1.20-lakh. Thus, the Central and State Governments are focusing more on promoting natural agriculture. The central government has allocated Rs.6,500-crore for natural agriculture development in the last financial year. It is likely to rise to Rs.10,000-crore in the coming financial year. Therefore, farmers need to come forward before switching from chemical farming to organic farming.
It is commendable that the Isha Agricultural Movement has imparted natural agriculture training to about 12 thousand farmers through various training classes. Satguru's work for the benefit of the farmers is also commendable.
In his introductory speech, Swami Srimukha, Coordinator, Isha Agricultural Movement, said, “Increasing the production of produce and getting profitable prices for the produce are the two major challenges facing farmers. The farmer manufacturer company provides the solution for both of these. In addition, farmers' costs are reduced by selling their own fertilizers, setting up drip irrigation and imparting various agricultural training.
Velliangiri Tillage Manufacturer, which was started by Isha Outreach in 2013, has overcome various challenges and is currently ranked No. 1 in Tamil Nadu and No. 8 in India. The company, which had a turnover of Rs.45,000 in the first year, has now grown to a turnover of Rs.14-crore. ”