‘Farmer producer companies can make farmers self-reliant’

Deputy Commissioner of Mandya, Dr. Kumara, said that the number of farmer producer companies has to increase so that the farmers can market their produce on their own, fixing a suitable price.

Speaking after inaugurating a training programme for the heads, executive officers, and resource persons of the farmer producer companies of Mandya district here recently, the Deputy Commissioner said, “Mandya is an agriculture-centric district and has its own identity in the field of farming. The farm produce needs to be value-added to make farming sustainable. Farmer producer companies have to become proactive and provide relevant information to farmers,” he said.

The issue of middlemen must be addressed if farmers are to receive fair prices for their produce. For farmers to become self-reliant, the establishment of farmer producer companies is essential. This approach would enable farmers to become owners of these companies, he said.

Dr. Kumara said the government has launched the PMFI scheme, and the farmers should make the best use of it. The farmers’ produce should ensure quality and require branding to draw the attention of the consumers. By doing this, farmers can secure a market not only in their district but also across the State and the country.