The Government of India has initiated the creation of Producer Companies to help farmers sell their produce. Through these producer companies, farmers can minimize and, in some cases, eliminate middlemen while trying to find good prices for their produce. AHIMSA has been instrumental in setting up the Tamil Nadu Rainfed Farmers Producers Company in Karur, Trichy district. The success of this producer company in Karur has spurred AHIMSA on in identifying similar suitable spots to set up more such companies. Vaiyampatti is the next in line to have a producer company. This would be set up with the support of NABARD.
The focus of these producer companies would be to –
- Ensure the active participation of farmers, who are shareholders in the company
- Distribute evenly, the seeds given to them by government agencies
- Provide an equitable system for disbursement of government subsidies
- Actively promote government schemes such as tree plantation and seed banking
- Ensure professional and honest company operations to benefit farmer-members
- Fix prices based on market demand – without the interference of middlemen
- Support farmers in selling their produce not just locally, but at national level too
