Banana Nendran
in Trivandrum District
The project is for establishment of market oriented banana production and processing network by effectively utilizing organized Kudumbashree units. Co-ordinated efforts of State Kudumbashree mission, and Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat can effectively build up this kind of an innovative venture to improve/refine banana and produce utilizing high technologies enable larger market access. The growing demand for processed products of banana in foreign countries opens with a golden opportunity, which it hopes to take advantage of, by aggressively promoting this crop and its processing sector.
Importance of the Project
Banana is one of the important fruit crops of Thiruvananthapuram and occupies 2333 ha with a production of 136.37 thousand MT during 2002-03. Banana is considered to be a rich source of energy producing food. Major share of banana is consumed in fresh form. Being highly perishable in nature, there is a need to preserve this important fruit by processing it into produce banana pulp, banana chips, banana wafer biscuits, banana puree, banana powder etc to cater the needs of different sections of the society and there by provides incentives to banana growing cultivators.
Kerala is one of the major producing states of banana. According to NHB, banana production in Kerala was 375.9 thousand MT in 2002-03, the total production of India standing at 32 Million.MT. Kerala is known for its unique banana varieties such as Nendran, Poovan and Palayamkodan, which have regular demand both in the State and outside. There is growing demand for processed products of their crop in the gulf countries.
Banana ranks third in area with 0.464 million-hector covering 12.46 percent of the total fruit area. But it is first in total production (15.07 million tone), accounting for one third (34.22 percent) of the total fruit production. Most of the banana is produced as a small scale under different production systems. Banana and its processed products are having excellent export potential. Around 86 lakhs tones of banana have been exported during 2000-01, fetching a value of over Rs.18 crore, registering an eight time increase over 1993 figures. The main destination for banana export is the UAE. In export scenario India excel in banana also. The variety ‘Nendran’ is excellent for processing such as manufacturing of wafers-our added advantage, which is not yet fully tapped. Globalisation has offered great opportunities to banana business, but in order to harness the maximum benefits, it needs to adopt advanced processing technology as well as product presentation. Scope of Kerala, the land of Nendran, is much ahead in this context. (Lucrative export possibilities: Dr. S.D.Sikhamony and Dr. M.Sudha in Survey of India Agriculture 2004)
Thiruvananthapuram District is having a very long tradition in banana, plantain cultivation. Banana is cultivated over an area of 2333 ha, from which an annual production of 136.37 thousand MT was recorded during 2002-2003. With the introduction of Cargo facilities in the International Air port at Thiruvananthapuram, Opportunities are emerging in a big way for export of banana and banana products from the district.
Intervention in Banana
Production
Major constraints noted in banana production in Thiruvananthapuram includes
v Dearth of tissue cultured planting materials
v Low productivity
v Absence of post harvest facilities
v Absence of processing set up
v Inadequate market support
Co-ordinated efforts to address all these issues have become essential which helps to tap the increasing global market demand. Productivity oriented quality production can be through adequate technology along with proper processing facilities and market support is highly important in achieving banana development.
Kudumbasree is a poverty eradication project officially launched by the Government of Kerala with the active support of the Centre and NABARD for wiping out absolute poverty from the state. The project is being implemented by the State poverty eradication Mission of the State Government through local self-governing bodies. Over 60000 neighbourhood groups of women were formed under this project and they started mobilizing saving which touched over 12.50 crore. Around 7000 neighbourhood groups were linked to various commercial banks under linkage banking programme of NABARD. Various entrepreneurial activities undertaken by different government agencies like local bodies, Dept of Agriculture, Dept of Industries etc promoted more than 20000 micro enterprises in the State. The community-based organization being in action under Kudumbashree set up provides a strong support for the implementation of this project. By these organization setup women are now adequately empowered to take up any rich enterprise activity as a group.
In Thiruvananthapuram also there are around 12000 NG groups very active in function. Members of Kudumbashree NA Groups can now get a loan of Rs.3000-5000 from NG itself. Many Small enterprises like printing press, soap manufacturing unit, food processing units and canteens are successfully run by NG members in various parts of the District lease land farming is another major area in which Kudumbashree units are widely engaged in the District. This provides a most favourable situation in implementing the proposed project in the district.
Value Addition, Brand Building of Banana
Even though we are the producers of most favourite banana like Rasakadali, Nendran etc efforts on brand building, value addition, stream lining production process with international quality standards to get larger market access are very meager. Utilisation of advanced technologies in production is also at low rate. Addressing with this issue it can be possible for effective brand building of our supreme varieties. This project proposes to utilize advanced processing, pre and post harvest technologies to build up a co-ordinated effort in strengthening the banana cultivation sector.
Productivity & Quality
The emerging expectations of global market access in present scenario calls for higher productivity per unit of land, water and other inputs in an equitable and sustainable manner. Critical areas that would require pinpointed attention are quality and productivity of the farm product. Pro-farmer technologies such as tissue cultured planting materials, individual production- plan, soil testing, micro irrigation, fertigation, judicious applications of micro nutrients on need basis, mechanization, IPM, INM, Plant growth regulators etc to be utilized effectively to attain higher productivity and quality on products. The excellent human resources in research and development with large institutional network have been assets, which can be effectively utilized for transfer of appropriate technologies to receptive farming group-here women self groups. To face this challenge following factors are very crucial.
§ Proper technology support system/agency which will co-ordinate all the research and development agencies to import adequate services to the production /processing system.
§ Identification of receptive farming group, which can easily conceive high productivity, oriented technologies to be adopted to their production activities.
§ Co-operation of entrepreneur from private sector especially in processing/ value addition sector utilizing high tech technologies with high order production capacity.
Marketing intervention and Technical Support
Adequate marketing support is important for successful implementation. Private agency associating with this project will take over the responsibility of marketing. For effective market strategy planning and Marketing intervention private sector participation will be more effective.
Another major challenge is providing proper technology support to all components of the project, which have directly linked with productivity and quality of the output. Service of Prowins Agri System will be utilized for ensuring necessary technology support.
One product- BANANA
OBJECTIVES
Major objective of this project is to develop the crop banana right from its cultivation to value addition and marketing with global market access. Banana being the major crop in Thiruvananthapuram District in which scope for value addition high has adequate potential to develop utilizing latest available technologies. Following are the objectives set under this project for this purpose.
Productivity oriented Banana Cultivation
Major objective of the project includes cultivation of banana over an area of 2400 ha. By Kudumbashree groups adopting Scientific practices to enhance productivity from 8 tons/ha to 15 tons/ha. Both Kudumbashree units and Yuvashree units will be selected as beneficiary groups.
Establishment of Banana processing park
Project envisages establishment of a high-tech banana-processing park with a processing capacity of 30 tons/day. The Banana processing park will be established by Prowins Foods (P) Ltd, the Private Partner Company.
Establishment of model nursery
There is enough scope to establish a modal nursery in District Agricultural farm, Peringammala where scientific practices for banana production can be followed and demonstrated. Production of quality planting material of nendran banana by establishing a model nursery in Dist Agricultural Farm (4ha).
Demonstration farm for banana
To popularise green house cultivation of banana by establishing model farms. Modal farms will be established in four different locations in the district and will be done by four Yuvashree units.
Implementation of IPM practices
IPM practices, which help to reduce the hazards of over usage of pesticides and insecticides, will be followed in entire 2400 ha. This is to promote IPM in banana cultivation in the district.
Establish bio control laboratory
To popularize use of bio control agents in pest control. One bio control laboratory will be established in our selected block activity group.
Establish a leaf tissue analysis laboratory agricultural farm
One leaf analysis laboratory with modern facilities will be established in one selected block in which individual recommendation will be given based on leaf analysis.
Popularise vermicomposting
To popularise the organic manure productive units and vermin composting and to ensure the timely availability of organic manure to banana cultivation 50 vermi compost units will be established at 50 locations in the district.
To establish a modern banana fibre unit
It is proposed to establish a banana fibre unit in one block to extract fibre from pseudostem demand for which is showing an upward trend at present.
Establish 5 pack houses
Five pack houses will be established in 5 blocks with modern facilities for grading, sorting and packing in corrugated boxes/consumer boxes which helps to get higher market acceptability and price. The pack houses will be run by activity groups consisting of selected members from Kudumbashree/Yuvashree units.
Banana Paper Unit
To establish a banana paper unit in one block panchayat which will be run by an activity group selected from Kudumbashree/Yuvashree units.
Cold Storage
The project also aims to establish a cold storage to store the raw banana before marketing and to maintain the cold chain for international market supply chain
Establish a tissue culture lab
The project envisages establishment of a tissue culture lab with an annual production capacity of 10 lakhs suckers.
To establish a soil-testing lab
It is proposed to establish a modern soil analysis lab at Perumkadavila Block Panchayat with the facilities to analyse micronutrients. This will help to provide scientific individual fertilizer & manure recommendations to the groups engaged in cultivation.
To provide technology support to the project activities.
It is proposes to provide the technology support to all the activities of the project right from cultivation up to processing with the help of the Private Partner Company associating with the project. Prowins Agri System, Division under the company, will provide all technology support including technology sourcing required for various activities of the project.
To establish a marketing network
With the co-operation of the Private Partner associating with this project and Confederation Indian Industry, effective marketing network will b established to market the raw banana and all of its value added products.
Providing reefer vans for transport facility.
Two reefer trucks will be purchased and made available to the marketing agency with which the farm produce can be transported to pack house/processing park and to market without any delay.
Providing direct employment to about 20000 personnel and indirect employment to thousands individuals engaged in farming and marketing.
To obtain export license by the unit.
NATURE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT
The project will be implemented on Public Private Panchayat Partnership under Rural Business Hub.
AGENCIES SUBMITTING THE PROJECT
This project is a joint venture of State Kudumbasree Mission –a governmental agency for the total development of women, Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat. – A Panchayat Raj Institution th National Horticulture Missiion- a mission of Govt of India and Prowins Foods (P) Ltd – CII Member Company that is the private partner of this project.
Kudumbashree Mission:
It is a poverty eradication mission officially launched by the Government of Kerala with an objectives of wiping out of poverty from the State. This agency is acting as an facilitating agency supporting the poverty eradication activities of various other agencies such as local bodies, credit agencies, other State departments etc. Around 12000 Neighbourhood groups are active in Thiruvananthapuram under the Kudumbashree mission. Kudumbashree Mission can play a vital role in co-ordinating the activities all other agencies for effective implementation of the project.
Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat
Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat will be the nodal agency for the implementation. Being the higher level panchayat Raj institution in the district it can co-ordinate lower PRIs in the implementation area for effective implementation. Funds from all the funding agencies will be transferred to the District Panchayat which then transferred to concerned implementation groups/agencies for successful implementation
Prowins Foods (P) Ltd
This is a local company based at Thiruvananthapuram which is a member of CII and at present carrying out agro processing activities. This company will act as the Private Partner in this project. This company will provide following support for the implementation.
(i) All technology support/sourcing required for productivity and quality enhancement in banana cultivation and to develop value added products with global acceptance will to provided by the company through its sister concern ‘Prowins Agri System’. Service of post graduate scholars and scientists will be provided by this agency which will ensure exclusive technology support for various activities of the project.
(ii) The Company will help to develop the quality and packaging standards for different products to gain Global acceptance.
(iii) The company with the co-operation of its association C11 will also help to get international market access, through which bulk orders can be obtained for the products, fetching higher income for farmers.
(iv) The Company will invest for establishing Banana-processing Park, which will be the major agro processing unit in this project.
Funding Agencies
Apart from Kudumbashree Mission and Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat following funding agencies will support the project by providing financial support to various components.
National Horticulture Mission
Joint partner of the project. NHM an agency under Government of Kerala constituted with an objective to support the development of Horticultural crops will be major funding agency of this project. NHM will provide support to the cultivation of banana and developing various infrastructural facilities for product development.
Ministry of food processing
Ministry of Food Processing under Government of India will provide financial support to the banana processing park – a major value addition component of the project.
Financial Institutions
Various financial institutions in the districts including nationalized banks and co-operatives will provide credit support to various components.
Kerala Agricultural University
Kerala Agricultural University will assist the project by providing technology for various labs proposed in this project. The experts from the University will also support the exclusive technology support team of this project established by Prowins Agri System in resolving pest and diseases problem if occurs in banana cultivation.
LOCATION
Banana Cultivation
Cultivation of banana will be carried out through kudumbasree unit having a minimum area of one ha. in entire district with the technical and supervisory services provided by Prowins Agri System. Demonstration plots will be established in the farm field of kudumbasree groups carrying out cultivation.
Grama Panchayats in which banana is a major crop have been selected for banana cultivation. In each Grama Panchayat banana cultivation will be carried out in a minimum of 20 hectares. Grama Panchayat where the possibility to find out 20 ha of area for banana cultivation will not be selected. Following are the Grama Panchayats proposed for taking up banana cultivation through Kudumbashree/Yuvashree units.
List of Grama Panchayat where banana cultivation will be carried out
1. Chemmaruthy
2. Cherunniyoor
3. Pallikkal
4. Navaikulam
5. Kilimanoor
6. Pulimath
7. Karavaram
8. Mudakkal
9. Pothencode
10. Manikkal
11. Vamanapuram
12. Pullampara
13. Kallara
14. Nanniyode
15. Panavoor
16. Anad
17. Uzhamalakkal
18. Aryanad
19. Tholikode
20. Vithura
21. Kallikad
22. Ottasekharamangalam
23. Kattakad
24. Vellarada
25. Aryancode
26. Perumkadavila
27. Kunnathukal
28. Kollayil
29. Parassala
30. Chenkal
31. Karode
32. Athiyanoor
33. Kottukal
34. Venganoor
35. Kalliyoor
36. Pallichal
37. Maranalloor
38. Balaramapuram
39. Malayinkil
40. Vilappil
41. Aruvikkara
42. Vellanad
43. Karakulam
44. Vembayam
45. Sreekaryam
46. Kuzhuvilam
Banana Processing Park
Banana processing park will be established in a location owned by/purchased by the Private partner company for this purpose.
Pack House
Two pack houses will be established in two block panchayats where the extent of area selected for banana cultivation will be the highest.
Banana fiber unit
One banana fibre unit will be established in Athiyanoor block panchayat and exact location will be fixed depending on the availability of suitable land and building.
Banana Paper Unit
Banana paper unit will be established in Perumkadavila block Panchayat area. The exact location will be selected depending on the availability of suitable land and building.
Model Nursery
Model Nursery will be established in District Agricultural farm, which at present is owned by the District Panchayat, Thiruvananthapuram.
Demonstration Farms
Four Demonstration plots will be implemented in four block panchayat in which the extent of area put under banana cultivation is higher.
Leaf analysis lab
Leaf analysis lab will be established in Kilimanoor block panchayat area
Bio control lab
Bio control lab will be established in Nedumangad block panchayat area.
Soil testing lab
Soil testing lab will be established in Athiyanoor block panchayat area
Tissue culture lab
Tissue culture lab will be established in Perumadavila block panchayat area.
Cold Storage
Cold storage facilities will be established in an area, which is nearer to two pack house units.
Vermi compost units
Vermi compost units will be established in all the Grama Panchayats which are selected for banana cultivation.
KEY ACTIVITIES
Following are the key activities envisaged in this project.
Cultivation of Banana
Cultivation of Banana in 2400 ha through clusters of Kudumbashree units/Yuvashree units staggering the production to feed the need of raw material through out the year. Each Kudumbashree activity group will be having 20-25 members and 7500-10000 Kudumbashree units will be engaged in cultivation. Each group will carry out cultivation in a minimum area of 0.40 ha. All sorts of technology support right from soil testing to post harvest management will be provided to the groups with the help of technology providing agency to this project. Increasing the productivity from the present level of 8 tons to 15 tons is the main target. Each Kudumbashree unit will take suitable land for cultivation. An area of 200 ha will be covered every month. So that sufficient and steady supply of raw materials will be ensured once harvest is commenced.
20-25 active members having interest in taking up cultivation for livelihood will be selected from different Kudumbashree/Yuvashree units and these members formed together as an activity group for banana cultivation. Each activity group will carry out cultivation in a minimum area of one acre. Altogether 5000-6000 such activity groups in 50 Grama Panchayats will carry out banana cultivation.
1. Every month an area of 200 ha will be covered.
2. Beneficiaries will be selected by concerned Grama Panchayats. Interested Kudumbashree/Yuvashree can register with the Grama Panchayats and from among the applicants most eligible beneficiaries will be selected based on eligibility criteria and priority criteria given in the separate project given as annexure-1 to this project.
3. In each month 500 beneficiaries will start cultivation over an area of 200 ha covering 2400 ha in 12 months.
4. Technical staff from Prowins Agri System will assist for adopting scientific cultivation practices and quality input sourcing.
Establishing model nursery
Production of banana utilizing high-tech practices viz. greenhouse, mulching, fumigation, INM,IPM and controlled irrigation will enhance the productivity to 25-30 tones/hector. This has to be demonstrated among the farmers. It is proposed to establish 4 such demonstration units in greenhouses having 1000 sq.meters. Cost of establishing one unit comes about Rs. 2,50000 which will be met by the Kudumbashree women groups through credit. The assistance at the rate of Rs.1.25 lakhs available under National Horti Cultural Mission will be made available to the unit.
Model Nurseries will be established in District Agricultural farm Peringammala, Nedumangad block panchayat premises and Perumkadavila block panchayat premises. Infrastructure facilities such as green houses will be provided by the concerned local body. Cultivation will be carried out by the selected Kudumbashree members from various Kudumbashree units. It is envisaged to establish four model nurseries under this project.
Promotion of IPM
Integrated Pest and Disease Management will fully be followed in the cultivation and production of banana in 2400 hectors. An assistance at the rate of Rs.1000 per hector available under NHM will be made available to the women group for strictly adopting IPM and INM. Balance amount required for the activity will be met by the group from their own fund. The package of practice on cultivation of banana published by KAU on INM and IPM will be followed. Detailed project is given as annexure – 6.
Demonstration plots.
Demonstration plots have been proposed to demonstrate the techniques of micro irrigation, IPM, INM, mulching and fumigation which have high effect on enhancing productivity. It is proposed to establish demonstration plots in an area of 4 ha. Selected activity groups from among Kudumbashree/Yuvashree units will establish the demonstration plots. Prowins Agri System will provide necessary technology support for establishing the demonstration plots.
Biocontrol lab
Bio control lab for the production of predators and micro organisms to control the pests and diseases will be established by the Kudumbashree. The micro organisms will resist the disease and control pest. These micro organisms and predators will be produced on large scale and supplied to the farmer groups at low rate. A total of Rs.38 lakhs is required to establish the lab. The assistance available under NHM will be utilized for establishing the lab under Kudumbashree unit.
Leaf analysis lab
Analysis of Leaf tissue at various stages / growth of plant will help in detecting the nutrient requirement, molecular status of the plant at different stages. Fertilization and good agricultural practices can be effectively followed utilizing the leaf analysis result. It is propose to establish a leaf tissue analysis lab under Kudumbashree units. An amount of Rs. 36.05 lakhs required will be met through NHM.
Soil testing lab
Maintenance of soil health adopting effective soil management practices will maintain the soil texture and soil productivity. Adequate enrichment of all vital nutrients including micro nutrients plays a vital role in enhancing productivity from soil medium. Before the commencement of crop soil testing has to be carried out for evaluating nutrient status of the soil and the quantity of fertilizers to be added. In order to fulfill this purpose it is propose to establish a soil-testing lab with facilities to analyse micronutrients under District Panchayat at Athiyanoor Block. The fund required for this will be met from the District Panchayat plant fund.
Tissue Culture lab
Productivity of banana mainly depends up on quality of planting material used for cultivation. India rank 2nd in the productivity and production behind to China. The main banana producing track in India are Maharashtra, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. In Maharashtra the productivity is around 40 tones per hector. In Kerala the productivity is only 8 ton per hector. The high productivity in Maharashtra depends mainly on the use of high quality inputs. Eg. Planting material, micro irrigation, Implementation of IPM and use of Cavendish variety. In Jalgaon, the banana board of India almost 85% of the seedlings used is tissue culture one. It is proved that this alone increased productivity of banana around 30%. Another added advantage of using tissue culture plant is that it is free of soil born and other disease commonly seen in banana. It is proposed to establish a tissue culture laboratory for producing seedlings required for cultivation in entire RBH cultivation area in Thiruvananthapuram District.
Purchase of Reefer Trucks
Four reefer trucks will be purchased under this project and made available to the beneficiaries for maintaining the cold chain from pack houses to export cargo.
Establishing pack houses
Storage of harvested banana for keeping the quality is the main problem faced by the farmers before selling it to market / to the processing unit. It is proposed to establish 5 storage and pack houses under Kudumbashree. These units will be run by women groups cultivating nendran banana. An amount of Rs.3.75 lakhs/ unit is available under NHM will be utilized for this.
Establishing fully automatic processing unit
The major objective of this project includes establishment of a banana processing unit with fully automatic line having a processing capacity of 15 tones of banana per day and quantity of finished product will be 4 tonnes per day. Banana toffee, Banana puree, Banana candy, Banana fibre and Pseudostem juice will be manufactured in this unit. These unit will be run by Prowins Foods (P) Ltd utilizing their present know how in the field. An amount of Rs.381.5 lakhs is required for establishing the banana-processing park. 25% assistance available under NHM will be utilized for establishing the processing unit. Balance amount will be met by the company.
Establishing vermi compost units.
Availability of good quality organic manure is the present problem facing cultivation of crops. In order to overcome this problem it is proposed to establish 6 vermi composts production units in the women groups. Waste material obtained after harvesting the banana will be utilized for producing vermin compost. An amount of Rs. 30 lakhs is available under NHM.
It is proposed to establish vermi compost unit with tank size 20m x 1.5m x 0.7m which will have an annual compost production capacity of 40 tons. Cost required for the construction of one such working capital will be 0.96 lakhs. Assistance from NHM @ 0.30 lakhs per unit will be made available to this component.
Market activities.
Marketing activities will be carried out by Prowins Foods Private Limited – a local company having membership in CII, which is co- operating with this project as private partner.
Traceability in Supply chain
Traceability pattern will be followed in supply chain of the product as per international guidelines.
Technology Support
Technology support and technology sourcing required for various components of this project will be provided by Prowins Agri System which is a non profit organization providing technology support services to agri ventures.
As per RBH guidelines published by the Government of India the role of Private Partner includes.
Ø Commitment to develop the identified product
Ø Conduct ‘GAP’ analysis of the product
Ø Brief the task force and farmers on the result of GAP Analysis
Ø Capacity building programme to bridge the gap
Ø Provide technical support/advocacy and assistance for prototype development
Ø Commercial transaction to begin on successful development of the project
Ø Be a mentor to RBH
Being the Private Partner to this project Prowins Foods (P) Ltd will provide above support to implement successfully. Prowins Agri System, a division of Prowins Foods (p) Ltd will take over the responsibility of following activities.
Ø ‘GAP analysis’ survey programme
Ø Capacity building programme to the task force, farmers and entrepreneurs involved in this project.
Ø Technology sourcing to all activities of the project and all sorts of technical help
Ø Necessary infrastructural facilities to make available all information to farmers /
Artisans / entrepreneurs.
The funds allotted for capacity building and technology sourcing will be made available to Prowins Agri System by the implementation agency.
Banana fibre unit
Banana fibre extraction is emerging as a good business proportion following good demand for fibre. A user-friendly device for extracting fibres from the pseudostem of banana has been available now which can effectively be used for extracting banana fibre by women self help groups. It is proposed to establish an activity group consisting of members from active Kudumbashree units. Prowins Agri System will provide necessary support to establish this unit.
Banana Paper unit
Banana paper is veining commercial interest now as the demand for the product is shooting up day by day. The products manufactured by this product include quality paper, file pads, suitcases, cardboards, plywood etc. Besides as the fibre is very light it also reduces the bulk factor to a great extent. As there is shortage of fibrous material for making paper in the country, the banana stem fibre can be used economically. Thiruvananthapuram is having tremendous scope in this business as it is less exploited so far. Considering its industrial scope, the project envisages to establish one banana paper unit, which will be run by an activity group of Kudumbashree. Prowins Agri System will provide adequate technology and technical support to these activity. An amount of Rs.28.50 lakhs is required for establishing this unit. State Kudumbashree Mission and NHM will provide an amount of 20 Lakhs and 7.125 lakhs respectively and balance will be met by the beneficiary group and credit agency.
Cold storage
Cold storage ensures post harvest loss and damages of banana. In Kerala where major share of farm produce damage accounts under post harvest loss, cold storages are having high relevance. It is proposed to establish one cold storage with 10 tons capacity to store raw banana. It also helps to maintain the cold chain in export supply chain. The total finance requirement for the activity will be Rs.78 lakhs out of which 34.50 lakhs will be provided by District Panchayat and 19.50 lakhs will be provided by NHM.
Existing wide network of panchayat Raj institutions and it’s transferred line departments will be the strong supporting establishment set up for the effective implementation of this project. How ever there should be exclusive supporting staff deputed with the responsibility of implementation. Following administrative set up is proposed for hassle free implementation.
At district level one Project Co-ordinator has to be posted on deputation/working arrangement basis from the Department of Agriculture who will be given the responsibility of project implementation. Also technical staff deputed by Prowins Agri System for technology support will assist the co-ordinator in fieldwork. In addition following Office staff are required for successful implementation
1. Lower Division Clerk =1
2. Peon =1
3. Typist =1
Other facilities
One light vehicle is required for fieldwork, which will be made available by hiring.
In Office following additional facilities are required.
1. Computer with all accessories and internet facilities = 2 No.s
2. Office furniture
3. Stationeries
FINANCE
An amount of Rs 4266.550 Lakhs is required for the implementation of the project. The District Panchayat and National Horticulture Mission will contribute Rs 139.50 Lakhs and Rs 597.125 Lakhs respectively. State Kudumbashree Mission will provide 97 Lakhs and credit agency support will be Rs 2498.10 Lakhs. Private partner and other local bodies will contribute Rs 316.5 lakhs and 95.5 lakhs respectively. Detailed finance statements are given in tables attached herewith.
FUND TRANSFER
Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat being the implementation agency of this project, will co-ordinate flow of funds from associating agencies. It will monitor proper utilisation of funds and will be responsible for reporting progress of implementation to the concerned associating agency.
Major lower level implementing agencies will be Grama Panchayats, Block panchayats and Prowins Agri System. Funds obtained for components such as banana cultivation, Demonstration plots, IPM and Vermi compost units will be transferred to concerned grama panchayats. Funds obtained for Pack Houses, Banana fibre unit, Banana paper unit and Model Nursery will be transferred to concerned block panchayats. Funds --- marked for Technology support, Capacity Building, Concurrent study/RD will be transferred to the Technology supporting agency viz Prowins Agri System. Funds for components such as Leaf Analysis Lab, Bio-Control lab, soil testing lab, tissue culture lab, Reefer trucks; Cold storage and trade fair/study tour will be expended directly by the District panchayat.
MONITORING
TOP LEVEL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A top level Executive Committee with following officials will be continued with the responsibility of monitory the progress of funds utilisation and to follow up the implementation.
1. President – District Panchayat
2. Secretary-District Panchayat
3. Sri. K.R.Jyothilal, IAS
4. Implementing officer
5. Project Officer, SKM (RBH)
6. Executive Director, NHM
7. Regional Manager, State Bank of India
8. Executive Director, Prowins Agri System
9. Director, RBH, Govt of Kerala
10. Chief Executive Officer, ADFIK
11. Co-ordinator in charge of RBH at Dist. Panchayat.
12. Sri. Jagajeevan, Programme officer, SKM