Dedicated Initiative for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (DISHA), which markets mangoes on the lines of cooperatives, is all set to offer farmers crop insurance, in a first of its kind initiative in Gujarat. Set up for market support and value-chain development of mango growers, Gujarat-based special purpose vehicle (SPV) DISHA is in talks with the state government to provide insurance for mango crops. “The survey required before insurance can be provided is being carried out in a 200-acre area, through the use of drones and other technology. A report on the same will be presented to the government in July and we will probably be able to bring in the measure by the next year. The survey will allow the government to understand the risks associated with farming mangoes, right from the flowering stage,” said Nitin Macwan, executive director, DISHA. Set up by non-governmental organisations from Gujarat, DISHA, which was inaugurated last year, aims to bring together 20 farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and 20,000 farmers in a span of two years. Raju Deepti, chairperson, DISHA, said, “We want to support the small and medium-sized farmers, who are tricked by the middlemen and end up losing out a lot of money. In the last year alone, we were able to increase a farmer’s profit from R13 to R18 on sale of their products.” DISHA provides non-pesticide training to the farmers in order to produce mangoes which are free from carbide. The fruits are also tested for a maximum residue limit before being approved for sale. The SPV is also teaching farmers about post-harvesting technologies, in order to minimise wastage and losses incurred with the seasonal fruit. While the mango season has just kicked off in the state, DISHA has already sold 25 tonne of the fruit through its distribution channels in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. A multi-stakeholder company, DISHA is procuring mangoes from farmers in Amreli, Una, Dharampur, Kaparada, Vasda, Chikhli, Panikhadak among others and selling it all over the state. Stakeholders including Avirat Agro Producer Company aid with the procurement while marketing support is being provided by Valessence Agri Development Services and JN Industries, among others. “In Gandhinagar, 200 metric tonne of mangoes will be sold by Madhur Dairy at their parlours. Other distributors will sell the mangoes in Anand, Nadiad, Kheda and Vadodara and other places,” said Deepti. NM Barot, Manager, Marketing, Madhur Dairy, said, “Last year, we sold 22 tonnes of mangoes for DISHA. This year also, we expect sales to be high. Already nine tonnes have been sold at Madhur Dairy parlours across Gandhinagar, and the season has only just begun.” Along with selling the fruit, DISHA is also making in-roads with its value-addition products. “Last year, we sold aam papad, while this year we have plans of selling the pulp of the fruit. However, we need Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licensing for that”. Deepti added. DISHA is currently holding discussions with National e-Markets Limited (NeML) for a possible tie-up under the unified market platform called National Agriculture Market (NAM) which seeks to digitalise trade carried on at agricultural produce marketing committees (APMCs). Source - http://www.financialexpress.com