On June 19, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj organised a first-of-its-kind state-level buyer-seller meeting for the Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) under the Tamil Nadu Vazhndhu Kattuvom (TNVKP) project at Trichy, Tamil Nadu. TNVKP is a World Bank funded project that aims to transform rural communities by promoting enterprises and providing credit linkage and employment opportunities.

MSSRF is a technical support agency for the project in six districts (Vth Region) – Dindigul, Theni, Madurai, Trichy, Namakkal, and Karur, and is extending technical support to producer collectives by building their capacity on registration, market linkages, credit access, product promotion, and handholding support to the eleven FPCs.

In the presence of Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who launched the event, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between buyers and sellers. MSSRF played a vital role in bringing approximately 100 buyers to the meeting, resulting in the signing of 30 MoUs with a total estimated value of Rs 10.67 crores. Minister for School Education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Principal Secretary, Department of RD & PR, P Senthil Kumar were also present.

These MoUs encompass the procurement of various products, including 82,500 litres of cold pressed oil (Groundnut, Coconut and Gingelly), 550 metric tons of Coconuts, 300 metric tons of Bananas, 100 metric tons of Maize, 600 metric tons of fruits and vegetables, 100 metric tons of Groundnut, 10 metric tons of traditional Paddy, and 100 metric tons of different spices. Among the eleven FPCs, seven were already in existence with an annual turnover of more than a crore. With MSSRF’s intervention, their turnover increased to five crores. The remaining four newly established FPCs have also achieved an average annual turnover of Rs 30 lakhs in a short period.

Kodai hill crops producer company Ltd, Dindigul district.

Through this initiative, producer organisations are able to reap the benefits of dealing with the market directly, bypassing intermediaries, and securing fair prices for their products. MSSRF has played a crucial role in assisting FPCs in establishing direct connections with the market and ensure that they receive equitable prices for their products.

This intervention has not only led to tangible economic gains, but has also made the people in rural areas feel empowered by expanding their market links.

*Picture 1: Naina malai farmers producer company Ltd, Namakkal district.