Not only it could wipe out accumulated losses worth ₹40 crore in a span of four years, the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) has made a turnaround by posting a profit (provisional) of ₹30 crore during 2017-18.
The GCC’s turnover went up from ₹148 crore four years ago to ₹307 crore during 2017-18 financial year.
In next two years, it has plans to increase it to ₹500 crore. Number of value-added products have been increased from five to 30, resulting in a quantum jump in the turnover from ₹8 crore to ₹30 crore.
Multi-pronged strategy
Attributing reasons for the remarkable turnaround of the corporation, set up by the undivided Andhra Pradesh government seven decades ago to provide remunerative price to tribals for the minor forest products by weeding out middlemen, outgoing Vice-Chairman and Managing Director A.S.P.S. Ravi Prakash told The Hindu that they had earned profits for third consecutive year due to multi-pronged strategy adopted after his takeover to showcase the tribal way of life, diversify the products with value addition, aggressive marketing and increase brand value of ‘Girijan’ by highlighting on forest fresh pure and original products.
“Today our organic coffee known as Araku Coffee, Girijan Honey, shikakai, soapnut and aloevera soap are most sought-after at all the stores in both the Telugu States. We want them to become popular across the country and abroad,” he said. Already, Naandi Foundation has opened an outlet to sell coffee grown by tribal farmers of Araku in Paris. “GCC has also received requests to open outlets in Israel, Japan and United States,” he stated.
Certification
“As part of our strategy, we are investing our returns in modernisation and processing facilities spread over Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and other areas and by ensuring three-four increase in remunerative price for tribals for their minor forest produce,” Mr. Ravi Prakash said.
He said GCC had achieved organic certification for 13 products like honey, coffee and herbal juices and improved the financial position of the organisation with the support of the government and the workforce.
