One of the largest cooperatives in the world, with a whopping 29,000 primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACs), the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has asked Telangana Government to produce more seed every season so that it could brand it as Telangana Seed.
Addressing a packed gathering at a function to mark the Golden Jubilee year here on Thursday, IFFCO’s Managing Director U.S. Awasthi said that Telangana and Andhra Pradesh had always been actively involved with the IFFCO. “I suggest you to step up seed production. The IFFCO will brand it across several geographies as Telangana Seed,” he said, to which State Principal Secretary-Agriculture C. Parthasarathy replied in one word, saying ‘Agreed’.
Earlier, Mr. Parthasarathy wanted the IFFCO to provide Telangana Government with mobile soil testing laboratories, a request to which Mr. Awasthi also replied in one word, giving his nod for the same. Mr. Awasthi recalled that starting with just 57 PACS in 1967, the IFFCO had come a long way with plants and operations in Africa, Jordan and Dubai, to name a few. “Our focus has always been welfare of our members and progress of the PACS,” he declared.
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Mr. Awasthi also wanted that more women be motivated to come in the farming sector and become members in the PACS. “At Annual General Body meetings, if about 1,000 members are present, I want to see at least a minimum of 100 women,” he said. Mr. Parthasarathy in his speech, wanted farmers to progressively reduce the quantity of fertilisers and focus on producing food that is healthy. “Telangana Government is striving to bring one crore acres of land under the plough and shall leave no stone unturned in ensuring welfare of farmers,” he said, to applause.
Later, progressive farmers and representatives of the PACS that registered excellent progress were felicitated.