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NT Bureau
Chennai, July 8:
 

        Farmers should go for scientific agricultural practices and latest cultivation techniques such as drip irrigation and precision farming and develop managerial talent in order to turn agriculture as a lucrative business, observed S S Nagarajan, vice president, agriculture research, Tractor & Farm Equipments Ltd (TAFE).

        Addressing the first round of expert group meet for farmers at Padiri, Kancheepuram district, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), agro business panel in association with NABARD, he said that with the presence of several lakes and tanks, which serve as an efficient water management system, most villages of the Kancheepuram district have reasonably better access to water for agriculture uses. The soil health of the land under cultivation is excellent and more suitable for paddy, mango and vegetable cultivation.

        Nagarajan said that farm produce has been fetching high prices in the market due to demand generated in the urban market by the emergence of organized retailers. However, farmers need to exercise caution before selecting the seed and crop varieties. They should assess the right timing where the produce would have more demand in the market. Ultimately, the produce must meet the requirements of the end consumers. He suggested farmers to cultivate ADT 37, ADT 43 and Bapatla paddy varieties, which are well received by the trading community and consumers.

        As for mango cultivation, Nagarajan said that Alphonso, Rumani and Banganapali were some of the fast selling mango varieties that fetch high prices in the market. Though there is a huge export market for Alphonso, which is liked for its sweetness, flavour and especially long shelf life, Tamilnadu is not producing enough that would meet the demand.

        In his address, R Sivasubramanian, director, Dorven Agro-Eco-Bio Ventures (P) Limited said that farmers must consider agriculture as a business and profit as their goal. He said that in view of the poor post harvest infrastructure, farmers are not able to decide on the selling price in the market. Farmers also do not have access to right information about market prices at right time. To overcome such bottlenecks, he urged the farmers to join together and form a consortium. The consortium could procure seed, inputs collectively at a competitive price. With government assistance, they can establish cold storage units. Through a consortium, farmers can negotiate with organized retailers on right price for their produce.

        Sivasubramanian said that CII would come forward to work with the farmers of Kancheepuram district in helping them select right varieties, establish post harvest infrastructure and processing units to reduce wastage of perishables.

        M K Sudhakar, assistant general manager, NABARD said that the bank has created over hundred farmers clubs in Kanchipuram district. The primary goal of the farmers club is to function as a bridge between government, banks and farmers. The farmers clubs have been regularly conducting monthly meetings to spread awareness among the local farmers on latest technologies.