Farmers' co-op movement in Bharuch bears fruit

The banana farmers of Bharuch district have proved they can convert any failure to a success story.

Having failed to strike a deal for contract farming with a Philippines-based firm in 2005, the 150 members of Bharuch district's 'Narmada Fruits and Vegetables Produce and Sales Co-operative' of Jagadia taluk decided to go ahead with the project. The farmers' co-operative has struck a similar deal with a local firm for contract farming.

The co-operative made a contract farming deal with Navsari-based agro produce export firm Desai Fruits and Vegetables earlier known as Desai Cold Storage.

Under this deal, the farmers will cultivate bananas in an area of 300 acres in Jagadia and Narmada belt in Bharuch district. The farmers have agreed to supply them 25-30 containers of banana per month at Rs 90 per 20 kg. A container consists of 19 tonnes of bananas. The company aims to export 5,000 tonnes of bananas in the first year and targets exports of 50,000 tonnes in the third year.

Earlier in 2005, a Philippines-based agriculture major Nader Ibrahim and Company approached the co-operative to take up contract farming on 500 acres. The company had also sent its experts to conduct soil and weather tests at Jagadia.

After conducting tests they found the conditions for growing bananas were more suited for Jagadia. The co-operative was to deliver 40 tonnes A week at Rs 92 per 20 kg. However, the deal was called off by Nader Ibrahim. But the farmers did not give up and continued their efforts to strike a similar deal in the later part of the year 2006.

Talking to Business Standard, Jayendrasinh Parmar, the vice chairman of the co-operative said, "We have entered a contract with Navsari-based Desai Fruits and Vegetables for contract farming of bananas in Jagadia taluk. The farmers will supply 25-30 containers of Grade 9 (G9) variety of bananas per month at the rate of Rs 90 per 20 kg. The sowing began in June and we have supplied three containers till now. It takes seven months to eight months for the crop."

Ajit Desai, chairman of the Desai Fruits and Vegetables Ltd, told Business Standard," We have already exported three containers of bananas from Jagadia to West Asia and in the Europe till now. We will export 5,000 tonnes of bananas in the first year and in the third year our exports will reach to 50,000 tonnes. We want to beat Brazil and Philippines in exports of bananas."

"At the moment we have taken 300 acres for contract farming. We aim to make Gujarat the country's hub for banana production and exports. With our joint efforts with the co-operative the company will have a total banana cultivation on over 5,000 acres of land within three years," he added.

He also said that the company's next target will be to increase exports to the European countries.

On the quality of G9 bananas in the region Jayendrasinh said, the response from other countries is positive. They have found the sugar level of our bananas much more than those from Philippines or Brazil. We will concentrate more on increasing the quality in the future."

The co-operative has 450 farmer members and of them 150 are banana farmers.

The co-operative was initially started as the Narmada Agri-vision Farmers' Club in Jagadia and was later converted into a co-operative. The District Development Officer of Nabard, Rajesh Dave, encouraged the farmers to revive the group and take to banana cultivation.

Rajesh Dave, while talking to Business Standard, said: "The farmers have now realised that they are not at anyone's mercy. If united, they can work out miracles. We are trying to develop the district of Bharuch as a role model for other districts and states. There are seven-eight farmers clubs emerged in the district with majority of young farmer members. They will become co-operatives once they stabilise."

On Jagadia co-operative, he said the co-operative was keen on value addition in banana. However, now when they don't have a problem with quantity they should focus on better quality. The movement is bearing fruit now."