Date: 30th May 2025
Location: Utnoor, Telangana

Leadership & Guests:
The 18th Mahasabha was held under the leadership of Federation President Mr. Sidam Gangader and the Board of Directors (BoDs). The chief guest for the event was Prof. Trilochan Sastry, Founder of CCD and Farmveda. Also present were Mr. Kaushalendra Yadav, CEO of Farmveda, and Mr. Shivam Sukla, Sr. Manager at Farmveda.

The event was successfully organized with the active support of CCD’s Project Managers and Field Officers.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting:

Prof. Trilochan Sastry addressed the members, emphasizing that cotton is the primary crop for most PMRSS members and should be the core focus — in terms of production, marketing, and processing.

He proposed that the main goal for 2025–26 should be to establish a cotton ginning and pressing unit in the region.

To realize this vision:

  • An estimated yield of 1 lakh quintals of cotton was proposed.
  • Farmers may be encouraged to contribute ₹800 per quintal as a deposit, potentially raising ₹8 Crores.
  • This target is ambitious but achievable, provided members, BoDs, and CCD staff work jointly.

Prof. Sastry stressed that the federation should not rely solely on bank financing. Instead:

  • Farmer contributions should form the primary base.
  • A dedicated team should conduct village-level outreach to explain the purpose and benefits of the ginning unit and encourage deposits.

Key points discussed:

  • Awareness and motivational efforts at the village level are essential to build understanding around the ginning unit.
  • Once a farmer contributes, they will receive profit-based incentives every year.

Fertilizer Discussion:
Organic fertilizers from Satya Sai, Anantapur were discussed for their positive results and low cost.

  • A trial truckload can be procured.
  • PMRSS may explore setting up local production in Utnoor.

Productivity Discussion:

  • While average yield in Utnoor is 5 quintals/acre, progressive farmers in Maharashtra are achieving 10+ quintals.
  • Adoption of improved Packages of Practice (PoP) was encouraged.

Unified Communication:

All members, BoDs, and CCD staff were urged to speak with one voice to drive unity around the goals of ginning, marketing, savings, deposits, and accounting systems.

Action Points:

  1. Plan motivation and awareness meetings with Field Officers, BoDs, cooperative leaders, and Project Managers (Mr. Vittalrao, Mr. Shesharao).
  2. Hire a vehicle if needed to speed up outreach.
  3. Explore alternative funding sources with minimal conditions — avoid waiting for backend subsidies.
  4. A skit was performed by the CCD team to demonstrate how to explain ginning benefits and motivate members to contribute.
  5. Mr. Shivaraj raised concerns regarding staff salary issues on behalf of the CCD team.

Field Visit – Saleguda (Under PMRSS Utnoor):

Prof. Sastry interacted with cooperative members and discussed key points:

  • Why not procure cotton via Sangam?
    While Sangam procurement benefits farmers, local moneylenders (Savakars) currently provide credit and inputs worth ₹1 lakh+ per farmer, creating dependence.
  • Savings Mobilization:
    Members have already mobilized ₹4+ lakhs in savings — this could be redirected to support the cotton ginning initiative.
    As shared by one farmer:

“If we can invest in building temples, why not in Sangam for better returns?”

  • Encouragement to use Satya Sai organic fertilizers to reduce cultivation costs and eventually begin local fertilizer production.
  • There was strong confidence that members are ready to mobilize savings toward establishing cotton ginning and pressing units.