TNIAMP SATHAIYAR ARULMIGU KALLALAGAR FPCL

[admin]

*Long Post Warning: This is a lengthy post - please allocate 15 minutes to read it without any distraction as the topic is a very important one - thanks*

*New FPO Onboarding: TNIAMP SATHAIYAR ARULMIGU KALLALAGAR FARMER PRODUCER COMPANY LIMITED*

*Note: I consider this a golden opportunity to mould this FPO exactly how we want and solve many open questions that we have today*

A new FPO called TNIAMP SATHAIYAR ARULMIGU KALLALAGAR FARMER PRODUCER COMPANY LIMITED has been created in Madurai with 700+ farmers, under the supervision of Tamilnadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation Project (TNIAMP).

This is made of farmers around the Sathaiyar river near Madurai.

These farmers typically grow paddy, country vegetables and banana.

Manikandan, who was the CEO of Karikalan FPO in Mannargudi has now taken over as the CEO of this new FPO. He is paid Rs.30K per month for this.

This FPO does not have a Resource Institution (RI) and hence there are no guidance for them.

Manikandan approached me the day before yesterday for help with the FPO.

I have promised that 5 Minute Farmers will guide the FPO - just like a Resource Institution and we will give him specific instructions from time to time on what to do so that they can try and become a model FPO for the state.

As this program is initiated by TNIAMP, the TNIAMP people want to exclude the paddy growers for now, as it does not have drip irrigation model matured yet. I have promised Manikandan that we will include those farmers in our model and help them also.

The idea is to build this FPO into a model FPO for others to emulate. The specific target is to reach Rs.1Cr revenue yearly.

*I HIGH PRIORITY ITEMS: To be done within a week*

Here are the highest priority items - that will take some time.

1. They have close to Rs.20 Lakhs that is allocated for them - this happens always when a FPO is formed. (Rs.1000 is brought in as share capital by each farmer and there is a matching contribution from Govt.)

They need help with preparing a report to submit to Government so that they can get these funds.

*I intend to work on this closely with them to get it ready.*

We should become experts at this so that we can help FPOs can raise funds.

I am also planning to bring in the 'Yearly Managed FPO Website Package' cost of Rs.30,000/- in this so there is no cost to them but the investment for online presence is a part of their budgeted expenses each year.

Note: Someone already tried submitting Paddy based project and it was rejected as it did not use drip irrigation. So now they are expecting help from us on drip irrigation based project such as country vegetables or banana.

2. Convert Agricultural Secretary's presentation in Tamil and share

*I need help here. Subbuji, can you please work with me to convert some of these slides to Tamil so we can share with the management team?*

3. Explain to the CEO, Chairman and Directors about 5 Minute Farmers Model

I will spend time with them to make this happen.

*II MEDIUM PRIORITY ITEMS: To be done before we end this month*

Here is a set of medium priority items - some will take very less time.

1. Create whatsapp groups:
- Management Team (Board of Directors, Chairman, CEO and us) - this is completed.
- Banana Producers
- Paddy Producers
- Country Vegetable Producers

The above task is completed.

We have to provide useful information to them on a periodic basis. I am hoping we can leverage Murali and Kuppammal to find this information and share with us.

2. Create a website for them: http://tniampsathaiyar.com/

- The domain is registered.

- The main website location will have details about their FPO, photos of the area, the management team etc. This should be ready today.

- The site will also have a order feature where orders can be placed in future directly though us: The cart is almost ready under http://tniampsathaiyar.com/order

- I have asked Manikandan for more details and he will give me the same - so that we can complete this site.

3. They need guidance on what to grow and how to sell.

Have not spent much time on this yet, except locating on the map and realising they are about 400+ kms and 8 hours away. (Similar to Vedaranyam).

We should think actively about this and plan.

*III LOW PRIORITY ITEMS: To be done before we end next month*

1. Collect information about all the farmers and the FPA:
I have advised Manikandan to already work on this.

2. Guide Manikandan on the admin tool and how to add their producer details, produce details, FPA information etc in the system.

3. Enable them to post their produce details directly on the cart.

Please feel free to let me know your feedback on this topic.

Thanks.

[admin]

Sathaiyar FPO CEO Manikandan called me and asked me if we can consume 10 tonnes of kambu.

I told him that we cannot be working this way and we will be able to work with them over a one year period to consume their vegetables and then the rest of the items.

He has asked me to come virtually to their board meeting on 31-Dec-2020 at 10.30am so we can explain to their board of directors the full plan and how to implement it right.

I have created a video call link and shared with him and his FPO Management team now.