The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) had its genesis from establishment of an Agricultural School at Saidapet, Madras, Tamil Nadu, as early as 1868 and it was later relocated at Coimbatore.
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) had its genesis from establishment of an Agricultural School at Saidapet, Madras, Tamil Nadu, as early as 1868 and it was later relocated at Coimbatore.
DABD, TNAU conducts a five days Entrepreneur Development Programme (EDP) on Agriculture Export for the benefit of farmers, rural youths, unemployed graduates etc., The major objective of this programme is to offer capacity building programmes in the domain of agricultural exports for the budding exporters, startups and rural youths. So far, 15 training programmes were conducted and 188 participates attended the training programme. For the benefit of farmers, rural youths, unemployed graduates, Management of Farmer Producer Companies Certificate course offered by the DABD in collaboration with Directorate of Open and Distance Learning.
Main aim is to motivate the farmers to start coconut based value addition enterprises funded by Coconut Development Board, Chennai
Activities
– Interaction on Good Agriculture Practices for enhancing quality of produce
– Exposure to various processing activities
– Visits to small scale industries
– Hands on training for preparation of bankable projects
– Interaction with successful entrepreneurs
– Exposure on formation of coconut farmer producer companies
S. No | Period | Participants |
I | 4 – 8.02.19 | Peravurani coconut Agro FPC |
II | 18 – 22.03.19 | Kanyakumari CFPC |
III | 29.10.19 – 2.11.19 | Pasumai CFPC |
IV | 22 – 26.11.21 | Udumalpet CFPC, Dindigul CFPC |
V | 28.02.22 – 04.03.22 | Gopi Velanmai CFPC, Madathukulam CFPC, Vinayaga CFPC |
VI | 7 – 11.03.22 | Kangeyam CFPC, Salamalai Horticulture Development FPC |
Collectivization of producers, especially small and marginal farmers, into producer organizations has emerged as one of the most effective pathways to address the many challenges of agriculture but most importantly, improved access to investments, technology, inputs, and markets. The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri-Business has promoted 318 Farmer Producer Organizations under various schemes such as National Agricultural Development Programme, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture & Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agricultural Modernisation Project.
FPOs are mostly in the start-up stage and face various challenges related to entrepreneurial capacity, business and marketing strategy, financial resources, etc. Board members of FPOs in most of the cases are coming from farming backgrounds. For most of the farmer members, running a Farmer Collective within a corporate framework is a new concept. Therefore, Board members need regular capacity building upon good management practices and increase their turnover. FPOs need to be oriented to gain proficiency in strategic planning, bookkeeping, business skills, marketing, corporate governance, etc to make FPO stable and sustainable. Capacity building and training support have to be extended to FPOs to transform them into agri entrepreneurs.