A ferry rideacross the Mandovi to the Chorão island followedby a six kilometres drive to Ambarim leads one to Premanand Mahambare’s house,the President of the Chorão Farmers’Club.
This 120-member Farmers’Club has revamped their traditional farming methods. While farmers around thecountry remain poor as a result of selling their products cheap, these farmers aregiven marketing support and they reap handsome dividends. “For example, tomatoesretail for Rs 20 per kg in the market, but the farmer might be earning only Rs2. The difference is pocketed by the retailer,” says Mahambare. The Farmers’Club takes the farmer’s produce directly to the market to give him a betterprice. “The Club began by marketing Red Kernel Rice which was bought from thefarmers at Rs 40 per kg. The farmer made approximately Rs 15 more. Farmers needto be shown that farming is remunerative and it can be a profitable business,”he adds. “We began selling organic mangoes three years ago and sold 850 dozen inthe first year.”
After the Clubwas formed, the farmers resolved to go organic. They conduct an inspection and certifyeach other once a year to track progress. The Club has made the farmers awareof the Kisan Credit Card scheme initiated by the Central Government andprocured the same for all members. The Club is now registered under theSocieties Registration Act to get government subsidies. This helped thempurchase two tractors, one transplanting machine and one grass-cutter. They havebeen participating in the Konkan Fruit Festival for the last three years. “Inthe Fruit Fest we conducted business worth Rs 50,000 in the first year” saysMahambare.
TheCentral Bank of India has donated a delivery van to the Club. “We can now expandour area of operation,” says Mahambare.
TheChorãoFarmers’ Club holds the torch towards profitable and healthy farming.
