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Central Institute of Horticulture organises buyer-seller meet
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Sellers from the department of Horticulture in Meghalaya along with their organic pineapple fruits at Medziphema.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 14 (EMN): Expounding that the total profit of the farmers’ produce belong to them, horticulture commissioner of the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare, Government of India, Dr. BNS Murthy, has categorically stated that there is no productivity until the full amount reaches their pockets. He stated this while empathising with the plight of the state farmers in encountering ‘illegal’ taxation imposed upon by various elements over their products.
Speaking at an exhibition and buyers and sellers meet organised by the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), Medziphema, in its premises on September 14, Dr. Murthy said the government is trying to provide platform for the farmers and growers of the northeast to sell their produce through a proper channel- a platform where buyers from across the country can directly interact with entrepreneurs and farmers from the Northeast.
‘We are trying to brand the Northeast organic produce to the outside world. For better access, buyers’ lists will be incorporated at the CIH official website within ten to 15 days time,’ Murthy stated.
The programme was organised with an objective to provide platform for the growers and buyers to interact and discuss on possible market linkage. It aimed at helping farmers to understand the market dynamics as well as in planning their produce according to the market requirements. Farmers, entrepreneurs, growers, and state horticulture departments from across the country, particularly northeast states exhibited their produce and interacted with buyers.
Director in-charge of CIH, Dr. Navin K Patle remarked that the sellers turn-out from other Northeast states was not satisfactory. Stating that the programme was just a beginning, he said similar programmes will be conducted in future. He hoped for better participation from the farmers and growers from all states in future.
He informed that CIH provides number of trainings, capacity building programmes and guidance to farmers, entrepreneurs, self help groups, faculties and interested individuals of entire Northeast region. Patle said that the primary aim of the programme was to provide a platform of human development resource throughout the rural economies in these states.
Altogether, 28 exhibitors (sellers) from across the country showcased their organic products including 16 from Nagaland. Sellers from other states included Arunachal Pradesh (two), Assam (four), Haryana (one), Manipur (one), Meghalaya (two), Mizoram (one) and Sikkim (one).
Buyers from different companies and agencies in the country had an interaction session with the farmers and growers. The participating business houses included Gro Organic from Mumbai; Pure Agro products from Delhi; Ruchi from Nagpur; Global Entrade, Eastern Agro Marketing Agency, and Radiant Manufacture from Guwahati.
Dharambir Kamboj- a Haryana based innovator of a portable multipurpose processor spoke about his technology. He said the unit is capable to process herbal plants like aloe vera to extract gel and juice; fruits to extract juice and the leftover material for making sweets, candy, powder etc.
Other dignitaries of the day were SK Pattanayak, secretary of the department of agriculture, cooperation and farmers welfare, Government of India; MK Mero, principal secretary of horticulture department; and Sushil kumar Patel, deputy commissioner, Dimapur.