Recent News and Events
Published By: Admin on: 2013-12-05
HVAP organised an exchange visit to Uttarakhand of India from 21-27 October 2013 to gather a better understanding on Reuters Market Light (RML) services being used by the farmers in Aajeevika’s project area and to incorporate some of its good parts in current Market Information System (MIS) used by HVAP that is available through website, SMS and voice service.
The participants included Mr Govinda Shahi, President, Jumla DCCI; Mr Ganesh Kharel, Senior Vice-President, Surkhet DCCI; Ms Susma Rasaily, Agriculture Communication Officer, AICC, Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD); Mr Ghanashyam Chaudhary, Agriculture Officer, High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP); Mr Guru Prasad Adhikari, Agriculture Technician, HVAP; Mr Shreelal Chaudhary, Livestock Technician, HVAP; Mr Hari Madan Adhikari, Capacity Development Officer, Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC)/HVAP; and Mr Sanjib Chaudhary, Communication and Knowledge Management Advisor, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation/HVAP.
The team met with Ajeevika staff from Almora, Bageshwor and Dehradun, and RML staff from Chandigarh. Mr Kailash Bhatt introduced with his team and explained in detail about the programmes being implemented by Ajeevika. The team then visited Lamgada and interacted with the RML subscribers. The farmers, both men and women, shared their experiences and benefits of using RML services. Mr Shiv Tej Singh Sandhu presented on the RML services being provided to Uttarakhand farmers.
The team then visited the working areas of Ajeevika and observed the field activities including a Kroiler unit, feeding trough for cattle, plastic mulching, integrated poultry and dairy units. The team then visited shops operated by the cooperation federations and observed the milk analyzer, products being sold by them including Samruddhi ghada (plastic water pot and milk pot), cattle feed and spices.
Following day, the team visited the Almora market and observed the marketing system. The team also interacted with the farmers bringing their produce to the commission agent who sells the produce to the highest bidding trader. Mr Gurpreet Saini explained how the farmers are benefitting from the RML services that send SMS informing them of the market prices of their commodities.
The team then shared the experiences at HVAP with Ajeevika and RML colleagues. Mr Kailash Bhatta presented on the outcomes of Ajeevika. Sanjib Chaudhary explained in detail about the HVAP approach, way of working and innovations at HVAP. Likewise, Mr Shiv Tej Singh Sandhu presented in detail the RML services and its way of working.
On the final day of the visit, the team visited the Haldwani Vegetable and Fruit Market which is the second largest market in Asia, after the Azadpur Sabji Mandi in Delhi. The team members observed the auction process and other processes of marketing where producers leave the produce with the commission agents who sell it to the producers offering the best price. The team also interacted with the government appointed recorder who records the volumes and selling prices of commodities. The team also discussed with the traders, commission agents and farmers. Mr Sambhu, a reporter with RML explained the process of recording the prices and sending it to RML.