New Delhi, June 3: In a good development for agriculturists of Haryana, its Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can now explore farming and agri-business opportunities in Tanzania, Kenya and other African countries.
This may be possible under an agreement signed today between MDH private company and six Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) of Haryana as per an initiative being implemented by the Department of Foreign Cooperation and the Horticulture Department.
The initiative aims to connect farmers with global markets, enhance their income and create new opportunities in the agriculture sector.
On the occasion, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the agreement is a major step towards integrating the state’s farmers with global agricultural trade.
He said it would help develop agricultural and business opportunities in Tanzania, Kenya and other African nations.
In future, if Haryana’s FPOs acquire land in these countries and cultivate ginger, turmeric, chilli and other spice crops, MDH would also be interested in procuring the produce grown there, Saini said.
This will enable Haryana farmers, for the first time, to venture beyond India’s borders and participate directly in farming and agribusiness activities in African countries, he said.
He further stated that the state government’s objective is not to limit Haryana’s farmers to local markets but to make them part of global supply chains and international markets.
Addressing a dialogue programme, the Chief Minister said that in this year’s Budget, the government had announced the development of the Morni region.
In line with that announcement, the MoU has been signed today to promote natural farming in the area.
He assured that farmers adopting natural farming would be compensated in case of any losses.
In addition, the company will offer farmers practising natural farming a price that is 10 percent higher than the prevailing market rate.
He said the government’s target is to initiate natural farming on approximately 4,000 acres in the first phase.
The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government does not want farmers to remain confined to traditional farming practices.
Instead, it seeks to connect them with agricultural entrepreneurship, value addition and international trade, thereby making them self-reliant and prosperous.
Keeping this objective in mind, continuous efforts are being made to ensure farmers gain access to global markets.
Under the agreement, commercial cultivation of various spice crops, including ginger, turmeric and chilli, will be promoted in the Morni region of Panchkula district.
MDH will provide farmers with technical guidance, support for quality production, marketing assistance and procurement support.
The initiative will also strengthen direct procurement from farmers while promoting pesticide-free and sustainable farming practices in Haryana.
MDH owner Rajeev Gulati said the long-term objective extends beyond industrial development and focuses on creating a strong agricultural ecosystem where the government, farmers and industry work together as partners.
