BWI: A Herculean Call by Dhanuka Agitech Limited for Long-Term Training of Agri-Input Dealers

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011 05:37 PM IST (12:07 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Agriculture, Business services, Chemicals, Education & training
--------------------------------------------------
A Herculean Call by Dhanuka Agitech Limited for Long-Term Training of Agri-Input Dealers
Have written to the Ministry of Agriculture, State Agricultural Universities & Institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for appropriate courses

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 01, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Dhanuka Agritech Limited, a listed company and a part of Rs. 500 crores (USD 125 million) Dhanuka Group, has requested the Ministry of Agriculture, State Agricultural Universities (SAU), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to start long-term out-reach training to educate agri-input dealers, who are the first source of information regarding agricultural technology to the farmers. The step has been taken after it has been observed that many a times, agri-input dealers end up providing insufficient information to the farmers, due to their ignorance, especially in identification of insect pests, diseases, weeds, and nutrient deficiency symptoms and efficient control measures. This call was made during the National Seminar on 'Transfer of Technology of Strategic Pesticides Use to Enhance Agricultural Production & Food Security' held in association with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Division of Agricultural Extension) in New Delhi under public-private partnership. It was also informed hat Shri R.G. Agarwal, Group Chairman personally met Senior Officers in the Planning Commission, Government of India and requested for suitable provisions while finalizing the XII Five Year Plan proposal under consideration at present.

Dhanuka's concern found voice in the fact that an independent study by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), of the Government of India, covering a large number of farmers across the States found that out of 40 per cent farmers who access information on agricultural technology, 13 per cent contacted agri-input dealers. India has around 3 lakh agri-input dealers, out of which around 85 to 90 per cent do not have any formal education. Pertaining to this concern, Dhanuka had earlier sponsored 50% fee of a batch 40 Agri-input dealers of East Godavari District, AP, for a one-year Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Agri Input Dealers (DAESI) by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad as an its out-reach programme.

Under the Pesticides Management Bill-2008 under consideration of the Parliament, a proposal is for making a long-term training an essential condition for renewal of the license, and awarding fresh license to those having formal education in agriculture. The company also wants the SAUs and ICAR Institutes to provide subsidy on the fee so as to encourage the Dealers for undergoing the course. "We propose that government should subsidize 75% of the fee, while the remaining could be met by the sponsor/trainee. Dhanuka Agritech Limited would also like to motivate Agri-input companies to form a consortium to provide need based support to meet half of the 25% of the remaining fee," says Shri Agarwal. Agriculture being location specific due to which cropping systems vary across the country, such trainings near to the location of the Dealer would not only be relevant but also his participation will be facilitated.

Drawing attention to losses caused by pests estimated to be around Rs. 2.5 lakh crore per annum based on the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the last year. Therefore, we can ill afford such a colossal loss when the country is striving for enhanced production to meet the food security needs of its ever growing population.

Shri MK Dhanuka, MD, Dhanuka Group, says "As agriculture is becoming highly knowledge demanding day-by-day, we feel that a course like DAESI should be prescribed as an essential requirement for issue of fresh license for the Agri-Input Dealers. The State Extension Services alone being not able to fulfill the demands of the farming community and the Government is advocating for multi-agency dispensation of extension services, agri-input dealers after undergoing DAESI-like courses can help in disseminating appropriate agriculture technology, as another agency to synergize the State Extension Services, and help in higher adoption of improved technology at the farm level, thereby enhancing income per unit of area and time."

The company wants the courses to be designed to suit the requirement of input dealers and prospective dealers with Secondary School Education.

About Dhanuka Agritech Limited

Dhanuka Agritech Limited is the umbrella company for the business of Agro-Chemicals, Fertilizers, and Seeds. The company reaches out to more than 10 million farmers with its eco-friendly high quality crop care products. The Agri-Division has a pan-India presence through its marketing offices in all major states in India. With a dealer network of more than 6000 across India, the Group has been able to make "Dhanuka" the preferred choice of farmers.


CONTACT DETAILS
Neeraj Atri, Mavcomm Consulting,, +91 9811714871
Amir Hashmi, Mavcomm Consulting, +91 9911190972
Amit Jha, Mavcomm Consulting, +91 9312883594

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, AGRICULTURE, BUSINESS SERVICES, CHEMICALS, EDUCATION

If you wish to change your Business Wire India selection please click on this link http://www.businesswireindia.com/media/news.asp and use your personal username and password to login.

Submit your press release at http://www.businesswireindia.com