Bangalore: The neighbourhood Horticulture Produce Marketing and Processing Cooperative Society (HOPCOMS) stalls will undergo a makeover soon.

"The HOPCOMS stalls will be renovated, upgraded, and computerised. We also plan to set up three showroom-type outlets. All these works will be taken up under the National Horticulture Mission," said P. Vishwanatha, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Managing Director of HOPCOMS.

Holistic growth

The National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is a Union Government-sponsored scheme that is aimed at promoting holistic growth of the horticulture sector.

Mr. Vishwanatha said that HOPCOMS had sent a proposal to the NHM through the State Government over a year ago.

The proposal was approved in record time and the Union Government granted a 25 per cent subsidy. "The subsidy is back-ended, which means that we will get the funds only after completion of the works proposed to be taken up under the project," he said.

Under the Rs. 5-crore project, HOPCOMS will upgrade the existing stalls, set up 90 new stalls and three showroom-type outlets and purchase goods vehicles of the three-tonne variety, he added.

"We have identified places to set up the new stalls. One showroom-type outlet will be set up at our headquarters. The site for another one has been identified," he said.

The existing stalls have been taken on a lease by HOPCOMS from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.

"Many of the existing stalls are in a bad state. We want to improve them," he said.

Hurdle

Mr. Vishwanatha said that even though the Union Government had granted 25 per cent subsidy, HOPCOMS did not have surplus money to take up the project on its own.

"We have to take a loan, as we have just enough to run our day-to-day business," he said. However, no bank is ready to grant a loan to the cooperative society, as it has no fixed assets. The State Government has now decided to stand guarantee to raise loans from the financial institutions. "Last week, we approached several banks with our proposal. We are still waiting to hear from them," he said.

He said that getting funds for the project was one of the major problems they were facing.

"But, once we get the loan, the project will be completed within five years," he said.

Asked if the project would ultimately benefit farmers, he said that the NHM only approves projects that aim to enhance horticulture production, assure nutritional security and income support to farm households.

"The major problem that most horticulture farmers face is with regard to marketing their produce. HOPCOMS was set up to help them in that regard. After the project is taken up, naturally marketing will improve, increase sales, and the benefits will definitely go to the farmer," he added.

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