Moving towards providing hi-tech training facilities for the farmers, the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) is setting up agri-business hubs. Initially the hubs will be developed in five districts including Rohtak, Fatehabad, Sirsa and Hisar. Two of such centers have already been established at Hisar and Sirsa. In the first phase, the agri-business and information centers (ABIC) are being opened where the infrastructure is available. It is planned to have ABICs at all district headquarters in next three years.
A senior official of HSAMB told FE that these centers offer training and expertise to the farmers. “The basic aim for setting up agri-business hubs is to provide an interactive platform to the farmers and the field experts. The farmers are able to explore business opportunities with the corporates as well. The centers provide information on the market, agronomic practices and organise seminars, workshops, buyer-seller meets etc. These centers also house the agriculture development officers who provide regular training to farmers and help in improving the quality of the agricultural products,” he said.
The HSAMB seeks to create additional opportunities of marketing for the farmers to provide post-harvest technology services and marketing advice. The board is developing the ABICs in collaboration with the agriculture and horticulture departments of the state. The department’s representatives are stationed at these centers so that they can render extension services to the farmers. Further, these centers also provide integrated services of all the allied agricultural departments to cater to the needs of the farmers.
The farmers are imparted information about various processes right from the stage of buying the inputs, production and post-harvest technology and marketing.