Saturday, October 29, 2011

Wheat Seed Production at JKAPCL- A step towards Contract Farming




BACKGROUND:-
Jhambukhand Kisan Agro Producer Co. Ltd., Banswara is a Community Based organization promoted under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) for Livelihood and Nutritional Security of Tribal Dominated Areas through Integrated Farming System and Technology Models. Since its inception, JKAPCL has strived at its best under the guidance of Mahanrana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur (MPUAT), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banswara (KVK) and ACCESS Development Services, Udaipur. Major activities of JKAPCL include Agriculture based input supply of Quality hybrid seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides recommended by MPUAT, Udaipur. The other business include output marketing of its member’s produce from grains such as Maize, Wheat to Vegetables. Grading is one area where JKAPCL is focusing on to brand itself as a quality grain supplier in South rajasthan. However to sustain in the long run, the Producer Company is trying to intervene in seed production and take up Seed Multiplication at a larger scale.
WHEAT SEED PRODUCTION AT JKAPCL:- In an effort to increase the agri based livelihood, Jhambukhand Kisan Agro Producer Co. Ltd. Put its best to come up with tie ups with its business partners for contract farming. Of many such efforts, a ray of hope came from Rajasthan State Seeds Corporation Ltd (RSSC), Banswara for seed production. RSSC came forward to associate with JKAPCL on a buyback agreement for wheat seed Production. JKAPCL selected 23 farmers from its project area and took over 75 Acres of Irrigated Fertile Land from farmers in lease from its share holders.
STAKEHOLDERS:-
S.N. Stakeholder Role
1 Farmer Primary stakeholder, beneficiary
2 KVK Technical support provider
3 Cert. Agency Inspection and Verification for approval of seed
4 RSSC Foundation Seed Supplier and lead partner in pricing
5 JKAPCL Implementing agency, Facilitator for farmers and Coordinator
6 ACCESS Strategic Partner & Market Support & Coordination
FINANCIAL BENEFITS:-
S.N.Activity Amount
1 Average Input Cost incurred by farmer per Acre INR 4962/-
2 No. of farmers Benefited 23
3 Net input Cost for Seed production INR 283125/-
4 Turnover JKAPCL INR 759328/-
5 Gross Profit to farmer per Acre of Land INR 20179/-
6 Net Profit to farmer per Acre of Land INR 15217/-
7 Net Profit to producer Company INR 34328/-

At every step, JKAPCL team put its best to aware farmers regarding seed production and identified 23 selected farmers. It tried its best that all the farmers get the best POP information, JKAPCL team conducted a 3-day camp facilitated by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Banswara where the experts from KVK trained the seed producers on Weed management Practices. At regular interval, the certification agency has sent its inspection team to the field for supervision. RSSC Ltd. conducted a stakeholders meet and training activity on seed production. JKAPCL also has organized a farmer interaction for wheat production, a fully sponsored event with RSSC Ltd, Banswara. Representatives from MPUAT, Deptt. Of Agriculture, Banswara also participated in the event.
CHALLENGES:-
The limited supply of foundation seed by RSSC has led us to look for alternative opportunities beyond the public sector companies to go for seed production at a larger scale.
The limited supply leads to higher procurement cost to the producer company, so JKAPCL is opting for seed production at a large scale to minimize the procurement cost.
THE ROAD AHEAD:-
The activity has been found successful with the successful production of over 500 Qtl. Of seeds procured by JKAPCL. The activity has come up with lot many challenges that the producer company faced. Also we’ve come up with lot many opportunities that can be explored to go for seed production at a large scale and also go for various crops such as Soyabean, Maize, Moong and Vegetable seed production on a buyback agreement. JKAPCL is in talks with Monsanto India Ltd, Raasi Seeds etc. for seed production activities. For Wheat Production, looking at the large scale demand and the resource availability, JKAPCL is trying to go for Seed Certification. This will led it to grade the seed, Test the germination, package and brand in its own name. The success has inspired many farmers to go for seed production and seed replacement for higher return from agriculture.


For more information on JKAPCL activities, mail us at:
jhambukhandkisan@gmail.com