Farmers often have to face extremely severe situations when they sell their produce at unbelievably low prices. Be it onions or tomato, time and again, farmers have had to sell off their produce at a below-cost price.
To mitigate this issue for the farmers, village cooperative societies will offer warehouse facility for a year to the farmers at an unbelievably meagre rent of Rs 2 per sack per month.
The initiative has been taken up by the Shriram Village Cooperative Society at Hingonia in Ajmer district. This cooperative society will charge a 12% interest for the service. It offers a 75% value of the farmer’s produce. However, If the payment is made in advance, a 2% discount is also given on interest.
Rajasthan cooperative minister Ajay Singh Kilak said, “This is a progressive measure in the cooperative sector which will prevent distress sale by farmers.”
Rajasthan cooperative minister Mr. Ajay Singh Kilak predicts it to be a very progressive initiative. He feels this step will unburden farmers from unlimited losses and other tensions. The cooperative sectors will join hands to provide warehousing and cold storage facilities to minimize damage to crops.
Two godowns with a capacity of 100 and 250 metric tonne each are owned by the society. Farmers in need of money can avail this facility at a very low rate.
Additionally, the farmers can weight their produce at any center, which is offering the facility free of cost.
This initiative will build trust among the farmers who will not fear from producing due to the failure of selling or losses. Many farmers have faced the issue of bulk production not getting buyers. This leads to double losses.
Firstly, their capital is blocked in mass production. Secondly, warehousing charges are incurred to store the produce. Hence, this idea will be heartily welcomed by all farmers.
