Bengaluru: A decade ago, if someone asked for Chia seeds and Quinoa in any supermarket in Karnataka, they would have got blank stares in return. While on one hand, it was not easily available for several years. The production and supply of superfoods like Chia and Quinoa were in the hands of only a few people.
However, today the scenes have changed, and they are now being made available across the country by a farmers’ group of Karnataka. It is quite hard to believe that traditional farmers in Karnataka are growing these two superfoods in large quantities with guidance from experts. And they are getting a fair price through the help of a farmers’ group. Here is the story of a farmers’ group from Karnataka. Which is worth replicating across the country to double the farm income.
Beginning of Change
Raitha Mitra, the farmers’ group was started on March 2, 2015, by involving the farmers of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Bagalakote, and Vijayapura. Initially, 50 farmers were brought together, and small groups were formed. In the last six years, the group has grown into being a pan-Karnataka association, bringing progressive farmers together.
Raitha Mitra is headed by Kuruburu Shantha Kumar. A well-known name in Karnataka who is often associated with spearheading the sugarcane growers movement in the state for the last few years.
Raitha Mitra means ‘friend of a farmer‘ and the group is truly doing its bit to prove that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Started with the intention to weed out various problems facing the farmers. Today the group is functioning as a corporate setup, but keeping its connection with the ground intact!
At a juncture of time when the country is witnessing protests from farmers against policies pertaining to the farming sector, there is a need to find an amicable solution. The model developed by these farmers through the cooperative module may be a ray of hope in this regard. This is a cooperative society that is by the farmers, for the formers, and run by the farmers. There are no middlemen.
Empowering Farmers
The group educates the farmers on best agricultural practices- to use farm ingredients with diligence and proper handling. The farmers are taken on regular study tours within India and overseas to upgrade their knowledge base and skills. Raitha Mitra also engages with scientists and professionals to implement advanced technologies.
This group is sending farmers for training even in foreign countries to ensure that they will get hands-on training in the new farming methodologies, varieties, and techniques. Adding to all this, when the country was hit by Covid-19, this group actively took up Covid-19 awareness drive and health camps for the benefit of the public.
This society is working towards the empowerment of the farmers beyond just buying their products. Value addition, the introduction of new crops, Memorandum of Understanding with prestigious institutes like CFTRI, etc have made this society unique.
Corporate Structure
According to Kurubur Shanthakumar, the idea is to help the farmers to make farming a profitable venture. “If farmers join hands together, they can get various schemes of the state and central governments. It will help them in many ways. Adding to this, we can help the farmers create a market, undergo training in new technologies, etc”. He says adding that fertilizer shortage, extortion by suppliers, seed shortage, fake seeds are some common problems faced by the farmers.
“This is where the Raitha Mitra supports the farmers. The group supplies the best quality fertilizers and pesticides at government-fixed prices. Instead of engaging the middlemen, or the dealers, the company directly procures the materials required for the farmers from the manufacturers. As this is a farmers’ group, the manufacturers too love to supply the goods at a competitive rate. It is helping the farmers to bring down the cost of farming. At the end of the day, it is helping the farmers to earn more profit as the investment is less,” he states adding that the group purchases vegetables. And fruits directly from the farmers giving the market price of the day without the role of a middleman or a commissioning agent. Thus helping the farmer earn better.
Chia and Quinoa
Raitha Mitra has a distinction of pioneering the production of superfoods in the country. According to the company officials, also they introduced superfoods like Chia and Quinoa. And the farmers who were haunted by the frequent attacks by the wild animals readily embraced Chia. Quinoa cultivation because these crops were not attacked by wild animals.
The company is providing quality premium Chia and Quinoa seeds. The unique feature of these seeds is that they are certified by the CFTRI. Mysuru with the dissemination of agrotechnologies defined by CFTRI to farmers.
The Raitha Mitra introduced these two crops with a buy-back guarantee. According to the group officials, Raitha Mitra is engaged in B2B association with industries to market the produced superfoods. Thus helping farmers market their produce.
Looking ahead, also the group wants to launch its own superfood brand. But with the aim of helping Indians get these superfoods at affordable prices.
