On May 30th, 2025, the farmers of Utnoor came together under the banner of Praja Mithra Raithu MACs Federation Ltd (PMRSS) for their 18th Annual General Body Meeting and what emerged from this gathering wasn’t just reflection, but a bold plan for the future.
Led by Federation President Mr. Sidam Gangader, and supported by BoDs and CCD staff, the event welcomed Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Founder, CCD & Farmveda), Mr. Kaushalendra Yadav (CEO, Farmveda), and Mr. Shivam Sukla (Sr. Manager, Farmveda) as chief guests. With active participation from Project Managers, Field Officers, and cooperative leaders, the event set a strong tone for what’s next.
A Vision Rooted in Ownership:-
Cotton continues to be the lifeline crop for farmers in this region. But Prof. Sastry’s message was clear: “It’s time we move beyond just selling cotton and start owning the processing too.”
The proposed plan?
A farmer-owned cotton ginning and pressing unit, built through collective contribution.
Here’s the working idea:
- Farmers contribute ₹800 per quintal of cotton
- With a target of 1 lakh quintals, the community could potentially raise ₹8 Crores
- The entire setup from operations to profits remains in farmer hands
Rather than waiting on subsidies or becoming dependent on loans, the model aims for self-reliance. Farmers themselves will lead outreach and deposits, supported by CCD’s field team and leadership.
“This Isn’t Just an Expense. It’s a One-Time Investment.”
One of the most important mindsets shared during the meeting was this:
A farmer’s contribution isn’t a donation it’s an investment.
One that comes with returns, profit-sharing, and ownership in a community-driven enterprise.
The message was reinforced by a skit performed by the CCD team, showing how farmer behavior and motivation play a key role in this transformation.
Moving Beyond Cotton:-
Alongside the ginning proposal, another practical discussion focused on reducing cultivation costs.
Farmers were encouraged to try organic fertilizers from the Satya Sai unit in Anantapur, an option already showing promising results in other regions. PMRSS is now considering starting local fertilizer production right in Utnoor.
Learning from Each Other
While the average yield in Utnoor sits at around 5 quintals/acre, some progressive farmers in Maharashtra are reaching 10+ quintals. Adopting new Packages of Practice (PoP) and sharing knowledge across regions was strongly encouraged.
Action-Oriented Takeaways
The federation has already begun planning for:
- Village-level motivation drives involving BoDs, Project Managers, and cooperative leaders
- Outreach teams to visit farmers directly and explain the benefits of contributing to the ginning project
- Exploring alternative funding options beyond bank loans
- Fast-tracking work by renting vehicles and mobilizing field teams
Staff concerns, including salary-related issues, were also voiced, showing the open and transparent nature of the meeting.
Confidence in the System:-
During a field visit to Saleguda village, Prof. Sastry heard from members directly. Many expressed their readiness to support cotton ginning by mobilizing their savings. One farmer made it simple:
“We contribute for temples. Why not for something that gives us income every year?”
The culture of regular savings and collective effort already exists, now it’s being directed toward long-term infrastructure that benefits every member.
The Road Ahead:-
The Utnoor meeting didn’t end with decisions, it began with determination. From savings and fertilizer production to infrastructure and mindset change, the energy was real, and the ownership was personal.
This is how rural transformation happens, one meeting, one plan, one farmer at a time.