On May 31st, 2025, over 100 farmers gathered at Bhakta Nivas in Yavatmal, Maharashtra for the 4th Annual General Body Meeting of the Grameen Adivasi Farmer Producer Co. Ltd. (GAFPC). But this wasn’t just a routine review of balance sheets, it was a vision-setting moment for an entire community.

The meeting opened with inspiring messages from leaders across CCD and Farmveda, including Prof. Trilochan Sastry (Founder, CCD & Farmveda), Mr. Kaushalendra Yadav (CEO, Farmveda), and Mr. Shivam Sukla (Sr. Manager, Farmveda). Also in attendance were field teams from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, along with key partners and BoD members from Praja Mithra.

Prof. Sastry posed three powerful questions to the farmers:
“Why was this started? For whom? And for how long should it serve?”
The message was clear, this wasn’t about paperwork or formality. It was about purpose.

Turning Contribution into Ownership

The GAFPC is supported by 135 village cooperatives and a strong financial foundation, but now it’s preparing for its next leap:
Farmer-owned infrastructure. One of the ideas discussed was setting up a cotton ginning and pressing unit, fully funded by the farmers themselves. If each member contributes ₹400 per quintal, the dream of owning their own mill becomes real.

This isn’t just a project. It’s a mindset shift.
“If we can build temples together, why not build this?”

Fertilizers, Savings & Self-Reliance

The group also discussed using organic fertilizers from the Satya Sai unit in Anantapur, a cost-effective solution that’s already delivering results elsewhere. The idea? Start with a truckload, then scale up with local production if demand grows.
And the spirit of financial ownership is already alive. Many members have begun regular savings, and their attendance and participation in procurements were specifically acknowledged, including farmers like Sri Santhosh Mesram, Deepak Sidam, and Vilas Surpan.


Reaching More Members, the Right Way

In closed-door discussions, the BoDs and CCD staff explored ways to bring more farmers into the cooperative fold:

  • Organizing motivation camps at the village level
  • Conducting joint field visits with BoDs and staff
  • Creating a feeling of trust, unity, and openness
  • Using skits and storytelling to connect with new farmers

Thinking Bigger, Together

The team also reflected on practical issues like construction delays at the Karanwadi mill. The message was clear, don’t get stuck in small issues. Reallocate resources. Move forward. Think big.
A final field visit to Kodapakindi village brought the day full circle. Farmers met Mr. Ashok Mesram, who had voluntarily donated his land for a community dall mill. He did it not for recognition, but for the welfare of all.

The Takeaway

What we saw in Yavatmal wasn’t just an AGM. It was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when farmers come together, not just as cultivators, but as co-owners, decision-makers, and leaders of their own future.
The seeds have already been planted. Now, together, they’re building something that lasts.