Maharashtra Fourth Outreach Meeting

Grassroots Reachout & Networking in India on Trade & Economics (GRANITE)

Maharashtra Fourth Outreach Meeting
Nashik District, Maharshtra
June 17, 2006

Samarthan, Mumbai, the GRANITE project partner for Maharashtra, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture of the Government of Maharashtra, organised an outreach meeting at Satana, Nashik district, on June 17, 2006. Farmers from Satana and Baglan taluka participated in this meeting.

Objectives

  • to make farmers aware of the international market with special emphasis on pomegranate cultivation.
  • to inform farmers about the necessity of EUREPGAP certification, and to impart technological know how to achieve the export quality product.
  • to generate awareness among the farmers about various schemes offered by the government under National Horticulture Mission.

Methodology

  • Interactions of the farmers with the fruit exporters.
  • Interactions of farmers with the experts in pest controls.
  • Interactions of farmers with the expert in the field of EUREPGAP certification.
  • Informative lecture by the government officials on various schemes under National Horticulture Mission.
Highlights of the Discussions
  • Sanjay Chavan, Member of Legislative Assembly from the Baglan constituency, inaugurated the workshop.
  • Priya Khan, Programme Coordinator, Samarthan explained the objectives of the GRANITE project.
Dr V S Supe, officer-in-charge of the Horticulture Research Station, Pimpalgaon mentioned:
  • the techniques to control pest attack on the fruit.
  • the methods and technology to achieve the export quality of fruits.
  • role of judicious use of irrigation in maintaining the quality and controlling the pest attacks.
  • potential offered by the developed countries’ markets.
Abhilash Gorhe, expert in EUREPGAP Certification spoke about:
  • the significance and the need of obtaining the EUREPGAP certificate for exporting fruits to the European market.
  • the requirements to obtain the EUREPGAP certification.
Rajendra Nikam, the sub-divisional agriculture officer informed:
  • the subsidy schemes initiated by the central government under the National Horticulture Mission for the promotion of horticulture.
  • the experiences in growing export quality fruits.
  • lacunae in the present schemes and programmes run by the government.
Responses from the Participants
  • Questions regarding the potential for pomegranate in the European market.
  • Questions regarding methods to control pest attacks.
  • Relationship between irrigation schedule methods with the pest attack.
  • Various pesticides and the maximum residue level (MRL) of the pest.
  • Opportunities offered by the governments’ scheme.
Outcome of the Outreach Meeting
  • Farmers were exposed to techniques and technologies required to meet the quality norms of the European consumers.
  • Farmers got very useful information regarding EUREPGAP certification.
  • They were exposed to various subsidy schemes for growing export quality products, under the National Horticulture Mission.