The Hindu : Horticulture farmers form self-help groups

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 19, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Horticulture farmers form self-help groups

By Our Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE, JAN. 18. Self-help groups, comprising exclusively of horticulture farmers, have been formed in the district to facilitate implementation of various horticulture programmes.

The Assistant Director of Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, A. J. Mathan, said that 12 groups had been so far, mainly in the Pollachi and Udumalpet region. Efforts were on to form similar groups in Palladam belt too.

These were mainly area-based groups and the department planned to implement various horticulture schemes through them.

Each consisted of 15 to 20 members, and efforts were on to include more horticulture farmers in the district in such groups.

Further, training programmes would also be organised for members of these groups.

During one of the meetings organised for the SHGs, demonstration of vegetable cultivation was organised.

A Salem-based NGO, Environment Agriculture Mankind (EAM) Water Management Foundation, would train farmer groups in activities like maintaining records and savings.

"This programme benefits mainly the small and marginal farmers," according to Mr. Mathan.

While these groups would be meeting every month, the leaders of the groups would meet at least twice a month.

This would improve the quality of interaction and help in learning from each other's experience.

Within the next two months, it was proposed to form another 10 groups, depending on the response from farmers.

The department also planned to create awareness among farmers (through these groups) on issues such as water management and marketing.

Proposals were mooted on whether banking institutions could be involved in purchasing farm implements for these groups, he added.

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