The paradox that exists in trying to encourage the growing and consumption of organic food in Goa is this — farmers unwilling to grow because they are afraid of decreased yields causing income loss while simultaneoulsy consumers are unaware about if and where they can purchase organic food on a regular basis, and whether it is geniuinely organic.
This creates a sort of chicken-and-egg situation when we are trying to promote the idea of organic.
Step 1: Supporting farmers as they switch
We decided that the best way to encourage our farmers to take the leap is by handholding them through the growing process (so that their yields are protected) and helping them sell their produce to the consumers that really care about organic food.
Step 2: Ensuring that we are 100% organic
Miguel and Yogita have closely overseen the experiment by the three farmers for the last 8 weeks to ensure that the right methods are being followed. The next step would be to get PGS certification once there is a group of at least 5 farmers who are willing to do this. Because there is complete transparency and a very short supply chain, you can actually identify where the food you buy has been grown.
Step 3 : Creating a direct distribution channel to fans of organic
We have also created direct access to consumers by approaching them (by phone, email and SMS). Consumers have been happy and supported the initiative while the farmers are able to have their produce sold. Since the transport of vegetable is currently being subsidised, prices are on the lower side. However, in the coming seasons this would also need to be reflected in the pricing of the food.
Here is how our order fulfilment works (click image to enlarge).
This experiment to provide city folks with season vegetables (primarily in Panjim because of the proximity) — shall continue and hopefully give other farmers’ confidence to provide local, chemical free, seasonal vegetables in their localities.
A group of women, who visited Chetna Vikas in Wardha have been inspired to conduct an experiment in organic and chemical-free farming.
The plot in October 2010
Gita, Vandana and Shilan identified a plot of land where nothing has been grown in more than 15 years, so that we could be sure it was “organic”. The land abutts other agricultural land that has been fallow for several years.
This esperiment has two key aims:
- to demonstrate that it is possible to grow vegetables without the assistance of any chemical inputs
- to show that organic farming can also be profitable
The size of the land is about 2,000sq.mts and it falls under the category of Morod Land (i.e. upland areas). There is a dug-out well in one far corner of the property, but we ahve no electricity connection to install an electric pump. The traditional method os watering, using a laat, is installed but the farmers felt that this would make for very hard work, and therefore a kerosene+petrol pump would be useful.
We got the soil tested and we found the land is neutral, with high levels of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. We are still to receive the results for micro-nutrients.
The Chorao Farmers Club moved into its new office in Chodan village on August 21st, 2010.
We became the first farmers club in Goa to set up our own office, and we will use this facility as a point of interaction with our members, clients, for storage of equipment and produce and for conducting training programs and other events.
Inauguration of Chorao Farmers Club Office
The inauguration was done by Dr. N.P. Singh (Director ICAR), Mr. Satish Tendulkar (Director of Agriculture) and Mr. Arun Shandilya (GM NABARD Goa) all of whom have been instrumental in supporting the Club in various activities.
According to Mr Arun Sandilya, “The Chorao example is a good model for the other farmers clubs in Goa, many of which are either not functioning regularly, or are only recently formed”.
At this event our Club members also outlined their ‘Vision for 2015′ which will serve as a reference for all our initiatives over the next 5 years. Read our Vision 2015.
Currently our office hours are:
Tuesdays – 10 AM to 12 PM and 4PM to 6PM AND Sundays – 10 AM to 12 PM and 4PM to 6PM
We’re proud to let you know that the Chodan-Madel Farmers’ Club was recently selected by NABARD as the best performing Club amongst the 43 Farmers’ Clubs in Goa.
Mr. P. Mahambare receives the "Best Farmers Club" Award on behalf of the Chorao Farmers Club
This award (for 2009-10) includes a cash prize of Rs 5,000/- and additional institutional support of Rs 5,000/-. It was presented to us at a special event on April 29th, 2010.
We’d like to thank the many, many people that have supported us in different ways over the last two years.
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Mr. Deol - judged the 'Best Branch Manager' under the Farmers Club Program for 2009-10
The other good news is that our Central Bank of India Branch Manager, Mr. Amrik Singh Deol was identified as the ‘Best Branch Manager’ under the Farmers Club Program. A hearty congratulations to him and we thank him for his unstinting support!
Here are some frequently asked questions about Farmers’ Clubs.
What is a Farmers’ club?
A Farmers’ Club is an informal group of practicing farmers (or even farmers wanting to re-start agriculture) who get together and collaborate for the purpose of pursuing agriculture-related objectives.
Usually, one Farmers Club is encouraged per village.
What is NABARD’s Farmers Club program for?
NABARD has a Farmers Club program under which farmers’ clubs are eligible for financial assistance in terms of loans and grants to help meet the objectives of the club.
Who can form a Farmers’ Club?
Anyone who is involved in agricultural/horticultural activities.
Even if you have discontinued farming, but you want to restart you can form a Club
It does not matter whether you own land or are a tenant or a landless farmer, you can still form or be a part of a Farmers Club
How to go about forming one?
It’s actually quite simple. To begin with you need to get a few like-minded farmers who are willing to take a lead on the Club’s activities together (others will follow when they see the benefits from being in a Club. Don’t worry, even if you’re just five in number, go ahead and form the club anyway!)
Steps in forming a club
- Find a few farmers who will be interested in forming the Club.
- Contact the Branch manager of your local bank (nationalised or private bank) and speak to him about your wanting to start a Club. Invite him to attend your first meeting. You need to be associated with a bank as the financial assistance made available by NABARD through the scheme, will be routed through the bank you’re linked to.
- At your first meeting, pass a resolution saying that you intend on forming a Farmers Club, providing the names of the members, your village name and the bank with which you club will eventually open an account. You will also need to provide names of a Chief Coordinator and an Associate coordinator for your club.
- NABARD also requires you to provide basic information about your village. Use this form to gather up this information.
- Once you have this information, submit it to your chosen bank. In a covering letter requesting the branch manager forward your application to NABARD. Include the following with your covering letter:
Minutes from your first meeting
The Resolution passed by your Club
List of members
Village details
- The Branch manager will forward this for final approval to NABARD.
- After NABARD’s approval, the Club can open an account in its name at your chosen bank.
- NABARD then encourages the Club to organise an official Inauguration Ceremony for the club where interesting and relevant speakers may be invited to address, motivate and provide ideas to the club. The Club can also take this opportunity to invite speakers from relevant government departments like the Dpt. Of Agriculture, ICAR/KVK, Dpt of Fishiries, Animal Husbandry etc…. They can tell the Club about various government schemes that are available to farmers etc…
- Thereafter, the club needs to meet once a month (minimum), plan for the kinds of activities it wants to undertake and make steady progress towards achieving their stated objectives.
What paper-work needs to be done to form a Club?
There are some very basic requirements in terms of paper-work.
- Minutes from your first meeting
- The Resolution you passed stating that your group of farmers wants to form a Farmers Club and avail of the benefits under the Farmers Club Scheme.
- List of members (you can always add to the membership list, this is in now way a final list).
- Details about your village as required by this form.
- Names of Chief Coordinator and Associate Coordinator (they need to be members as well)
What are the financial benefits of forming a Club?
- Avail of up to Rs. 10,000 a year (for 3 years) in administrative costs for Club’s activities as below:
Inauguration assistance of Rs. 5,000
Annual maintenance/administrative support up to Rs. 3,000 for 3 years
Rs. 1,250 per workshop for four “Meet-the-Experts” Workshops spread over a period of 3 years.
- Avail of credit from banks for various entrepreneurial activities undertaken by the club
- If the Club is registered under the Societies Act, it is eligible for various group-subsidies from the Dpt. Of Agriculture etc…
