Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
Helping hand: Officials interacting with a tapioca farmer regarding the new procurement system at Kolli Hills in Namakkal district. NAMAKKAL: The tapioca farmers in the tribal heartlands of Kolli Hills, the ancient kingdom of King Valvil Ori, are a happy lot as they are now free from the clutches of middlemen. A new system, brainchild of Namakkal Collector G. Sundaramurthi, has involved these farmers and starch and sago manufacturers in the procurement process directly. Under this system, farmers sold over 3,300 tonnes of tapioca tuber till November last year directly to the starch and sago factories through two large size multi purpose (LAMP) co-operative societies. The value of the transactions was estimated to be Rs. 72.71 lakh. The system was introduced during last year following repeated complaints of exploitation of tapioca farmers by middlemen in Kolli Hills. A majority of the tribal population in the hills depended on the income from tapioca cultivation. About 27,500 acres of land in the hills are covered under the crop. The middlemen extended loans at exorbitant interest rates and forced the farmers to sell their produce at low rates. The administration conducted a comprehensive study and evolved the transparent procurement system after having several rounds of discussions with the farmers, manufacturers, elected representatives, bankers and officials. Under the new system, farmers were given interest free loans through the LAMP societies. A machine to calculate the starch content of tapioca tuber was installed at Cholakkadu. The procurement was routed through the LAMP societies, which served as a bridge connecting farmers and manufacturers. MechanismThe administration also evolved a mechanism to ensure competitive price for the tuber and immediate payment to the farmers. Awareness programmes about the new system were conducted in all the tribal villages. The positive social and financial impact in the hills is clearly visible. The income from tapioca cultivation has increased, Mr. Sundaramurthi pointed out. The Collector said that the administration had planned to set up additional procurement centres, extend liberal credit and conduct open auction in the coming harvest season. Guidance would be provided to the farmers through the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University to improve the crop yield.
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