In a significant move to enhance the income of farmers in Kalaburagi district and generate employment opportunities, the district administration and the agriculture department have jointly introduced a new brand named 'Kalaburagi Pulses'. This initiative encourages farmers to undertake processing, grading, and packaging of pulses themselves, thereby providing them with a direct marketing system.
Direct Marketing for Farmers
Under this scheme, farmers are empowered to harvest and pack their produce after receiving training in processing and grading. Subsequently, the 'Kalaburagi Pulses' brand will facilitate a marketing system for these value-added products. In the first phase, the plan aims to involve 50,000 farmers from the district to promote the brand.
Role of Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organizations
Samad Patel, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, stated that the district already has 1,000 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and 35 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The initiative will cater to registered farmers, but new farmers are also welcome to participate even if they are not yet registered. He further mentioned that the district produces 60 to 65 lakh tonnes of pulses annually. Of this, 10 lakh quintals will undergo processing, value addition, branding, and marketing under this scheme.
Federation and Training
A federation comprising farmers, SHGs, and FPOs will be established at the district level. This federation will provide training on grading, processing, packaging, and marketing. Farmers will be informed accordingly, and a market will be provided for the pulses they produce.
Subsidized Machinery
To enable farmers to clean and grade pulses themselves, machinery is being provided at a 50% subsidy under the state government's Secondary Agriculture and PMFME Centre scheme. This support is expected to significantly boost the quality and marketability of local pulses.
