Some successful examples of private sector initiative in Uttarakhand (Part II)

Private extension initiatives have been expanding in India. Notable among them are recent efforts by several Indian agri-business firms. All of these models are new experiments and the firms are still developing their strategies. Some of main private  extension services providing  agencies in  tarai region of Uttarakhand are,  e-choupal of  Indian Tobacco Company (ITC), Mahindra Shubh Labh of  Mahindra Mahindra limited, Hariyali kisaan bazaar of DSCL and Tata Kisan Sansar of Tata Group   

Mahindra Shubh Labh

            Mahindra and Mahindra Limited, India's leading tractor and utility vehicles manufacturer, has entered the private extension scene through a subsidiary that opened its first centre (Mahindra Krishi Vihar, or MKV) in Madurai District of Tamil Nadu in October 2000, primarily to cater to paddy growers. Encouraged by the success of this new approach, new centres are being established in other districts of Tamil Nadu and in various other states. Though started initially as joint ventures with its existing tractor dealers, the company is presently expanding its operation though franchisees.

The centres provide the following services:

• Sell quality farm inputs (seeds, fertilisers and pesticides);
• Rent out farm equipment (tractors, harvesters, dryers etc);
• Arrange credit (in partnership with ICICI bank);
• Offer farm advice by trained field supervisors who visit fields and supervise the critical farm operations and
• Buy the produce (through contracts with processing units).
• The company will also facilitate crop loan disbursal through a tie up with ICICI.
• These centers offer agri-consultancy, equipment rental and distribution and retailing of a wide range of inputs
• Farmer availing Mahindra Shubh Labh's package of services will thus have access to scientific farming practices, mechanised operations, a range of quality inputs including seeds and chemicals