Livelihood Promotion by Export of Pomegranate from Solapur District of Maharashtra
Background:
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The Government of India, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Department of International Development (DFID), UK are jointly implementing a project on “Strategies and Preparedness for Trade and Globalization in India”. |
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Agricultural and Processed Foods Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been selected by UNCTAD as Tier I partner to facilitate the formation of virtual network of existing national, regional and state level institutions dealing with the trade in agro products. |
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Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd. (AFC) has been identified as Tier II partner to facilitate improvement in awareness and building the capacities of the stakeholders to meet the opportunities and challenges of globalization. |
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AFC conducted a diagnostic study on strategies for export promotion of Pomegranate from Solapur and recommended Cluster Approach for Livelihood Promotion of Farmers involved in cultivation of Pomegranate in district Solapur of Maharashtra. The proposal was accepted by APEDA-UNCTAD and the pilot project was awarded to AFC. |
Objectives of the project:
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Create awareness about harvest and post harvest technologies for pomegranate including mechanization of harvesting and post harvest management as per GAP. |
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Awareness about the fertilizer spray schedule and its selection |
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How to increase profitability in pomegranate cultivation |
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To establish backward and forward linkages in the present scenario. |
Project Outcome:
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Cluster of 180 members were formed. |
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Good Agricultural Practices and Fertilizer Schedule was disseminated in consultation with National Research Centre of Pomegranate,(NRC) Sholapur |
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Awareness about export procedure, residue monitoring was undertaken in association with NRC, Solapur and APEDA |
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All the members are being linked with National Horticultural Mission for sustainability beyond the project period |
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Forward and backward linkages have been established and farmers have received 18% higher price in comparison to previous year. |
Prospects:
Pomegranate is a high value crop and its entire tree has great economic importance. Apart from demand for fresh fruits and juice, processed products like wine and candy are also gaining importance in world trade. The pilot project assisted under UNCTAD-DFID-APEDA was of short duration within one season and has resulted interesting results in terms of quantity, quality and price realization to the cluster members. The GAP recommended by NRC, Solapur Fertilizer Spray Schedule and Residue Monitoring Plan, APEDA were also disseminated to farmers. Trade promotion of this produce will not only improve the livelihood of the pomegranate growers, but it will also contribute to the export from our country.
Hence, AFC solicits financial assistance from institutions/agencies to replicate the pilot experience across the state for holistic development of the sector.
Livelihood Promotion of Makhana Growers in Darbhanga District of Bihar
Background:
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The Government of India, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Department of International Development (DFID), UK are jointly implementing a project on “Strategies and Preparedness for Trade and Globalization in India”. |
» |
Agricultural and Processed Foods Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been selected by UNCTAD as Tier I partner to facilitate the formation of virtual network of existing national, regional and state level institutions dealing with the trade in agro products. |
» |
Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd. (AFC) has been identified as Tier II partner to facilitate improvement in awareness and building the capacities of the stakeholders to meet the opportunities and challenges of globalization. |
» |
AFC conducted a diagnostic study on strategies for export promotion of Makhana from Bihar and recommended Cluster Approach for Livelihood Promotion of Farmers involved in cultivation of Makhana in district Darbhanga of Bihar. The proposal was accepted by APEDA-UNCTAD and the pilot project was awarded to AFC. |
Objectives of the Project:
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To establish cluster of 150-200 households in Baheri block of Darbhanga |
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To increase the production of Makhana with integrated fish cultivation |
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To empower women of makhana processing community through technology refinements |
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To establish backward and forward linkages in Makhana trade |
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Promote trade of Makhana through export/domestic marketing |
Project Outcome:
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Good Agricultural Practices of Makhana has been disseminated in consultation with National Research Centre of Makhana, Darbhanga |
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Cluster of 175 members in 12 Self Help Groups has been formed. |
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All the farmers have been covered under Micro insurance scheme of LIC, India. |
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All the group are being linked with SGSY and NHM for sustainability beyond the project period |
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Forward and backward linkages have been established and the farmers have received 22% higher price in comparison to previous year. |
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The Government if Bihar has also initiated action to open Makhana School in the project area in this financial year 2009-10. |
Prospects:
Makhana is an under exploited and under investigated aquatic crop with high medicinal value. The pilot project assisted under UNCTAD-DFID-APEDA was of short duration (one season). The project has yielded interesting results in terms of quantity, quality and price realization to the cluster members. The GAPs recommended by NRC, Darbhanga have been adopted by farmers.
This organic nutritive produce has immense export potential and needs to be promoted. The trade promotion of this produce will not only improve the livelihood of the deprived sections of the society, it will also contribute to the exports from our country.
AFC solicits financial assistance from institutions/agencies to replicate the pilot experience across the state for holistic development of the sector.
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