Date: 31st May 2025
Venue: Bhakta Nivas, Jagadamba Mandir, Kelapur, Pandharkawda, Yavatmal, Maharashtra
The 4th AGBM of Grameen Adivasi Farmer Producer Co. Ltd. (GAFPC) was conducted with active participation from the Board of Directors and farmer members. The meeting began with a welcome address and the formal invitation of guests and BoDs to the dais.
Chairing the meeting:
Mr. Manik Mesram, President of GAFPC, along with the Board of Directors
Guest attendees:
- Trilochan Sastry, Founder of CCD and Farmveda
- Kaushalendra Yadav, CEO, Farmveda
- Shivam Sukla, Senior Manager, Farmveda
- Parijat Advadkar, Auditor, GAFPC
- Yogiraj Advadkar, Coordinator, Sabhri Adivasi Vit va Vikas Mahamandal, Yavatmal
- CCD Staff from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- BoDs from Praja Mithra, Telangana
The meeting opened with remarks from the Vice President of GAFPC. The Annual Report was read by the General Manager, and the audited balance sheet was presented by Mr. Parijat Advadkar.
Keynote Address by Prof. Trilochan Sastry:
Prof. Sastry encouraged the members to think long-term. He appreciated the strength built through 135 village cooperatives and a healthy financial position, but emphasized the need for deeper purpose and clarity:
“For whom are we building this company? For what? And how long should this company work?”
He noted that CCD already has strong market linkages and has successfully exported four containers of agricultural produce. He stressed that income from such initiatives should directly benefit the farmers who invest in the business.
He encouraged members to adopt systems and procedures for financial management and proposed a model where members contribute ₹400 per quintal of cotton to set up a cotton ginning and pressing unit, through which they would receive profit-based incentives annually.
He also urged farmers to reduce input costs by adopting organic fertilizers. The Satya Sai unit in Anantapur was cited as a model, and farmers were advised to start by procuring a truckload before exploring local production units.
Address by Mr. Yogiraj Advadkar:
He highlighted that there are government subsidy schemes available to support FPOs in setting up cotton ginning and other agri-based infrastructure.
Farmer Acknowledgements:
The following farmers were recognized for their regular attendance, strong savings habits, and active participation in procurement:
- Sri Santhosh Mesram (Angi-Gattanji)
- Deepak Sidam (Kodapakindi–Zari Jamni)
- Vilas Surpan (Karanwadi–Pandharkawda)
Discussion with BoDs and CCD Staff:
During a closed session, several points were discussed to strengthen member engagement and deposits toward cooperative goals:
- When will cotton ginning operations begin?
- How do we motivate more members to join and contribute?
- A skit was performed to demonstrate how to introduce CCD’s model to unfamiliar or hesitant farmers.
Key Motivational Strategies Discussed:
- Build trust through BoDs and field staff
- Create a strong sense of unity and collective ownership
- Give clear and honest answers to members’ concerns
- Organize joint field visits by BoDs and staff
- Conduct motivational camps at the village level, led by BoDs and Project Managers
Special Note on Infrastructure:
A concern was raised about delays in the Karanwadi mill construction due to internal confusion. Members were advised not to waste time on minor issues and instead consider relocating and reusing materials such as roof sheets elsewhere. Pending works like fencing, gates, and drying plot preparation for the dall mill were also discussed under the “think bigger” approach.
Field Visit to Kodapakindi (Zari Jamni):
The team visited the site of the upcoming dall mill. They interacted with Mr. Ganesh (Supervisor) and Mr. Ashok Mesram, the farmer who donated land for the mill. Mr. Mesram confirmed that his contribution was made voluntarily, for the collective welfare of fellow members.