In an attempt to help farmers access overseas markets, the state’s department of agriculture and coopeartive has decided to set up special export clusters in and around Pune exclusively for vegetables. Spread over 500-1,000 acres of land in the districts of Pune, Nashik and Jalgaon, these clusters will grow Okra and green chillies for export to England. Shriram Gadave, president of the Vegetable Growers Association of India (VGAI), said, “This project will be developed through the Publice-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Exporters will tie up with farmers to set up packing houses and for backward and forward linkages,” he said. Accredited packing houses have been set up in Nashik. On their part, the farmers will take care of input costs like seeds, fertilizers etc. The first consignment for export is expected to be ready by April. Last year, India’s vegetable exports had dipped to Rs 176.47 crore from Rs 188.44 crore in 2013-14. Phaltan, Murmad and other places in the three districts have been chosen for the clusters, which will see farmers producers companies (FPOs) work together in deciding their cropping pattern, seed intake and other details. The agriculture department will ensure close coordination with the exporters. “Other than helping farmers deciding on the quality of the seed and other technical details, the exporters will help in packing also. Nashik already has an accredited packing centre, with more to be constructed in days to come,” he said. FPOs are formed under the umbrella of Small Farmers Agri Business Consortium and are given access to markets in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai bypassing the mandis.
