Federation of Farmers' Clubs

A NABARD-KVK Partnership programme

Upscaling the Farmers Club concept and sustaining the activities of the Clubs is identified as a thrust area for intervention by NABARD. Towards achieving this goal, a pilot programme for federating eighty Farmers Clubs at the district level is being implemented in Kannur district. The Federation will act as agents for diffusion of technological innovations with the help of a team of KVK led Expert Emeritus Faculty  (KEEF), one for each taluk. The project which is an innovative farmer led extension approach conceived by KVK for accelerating diffusion of  innovations is being implemented in partnership with NABARD with grant assistance from its Farmers Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF).

Separate Directorates (headed by farmer directors) for farmers' science, farmer   to  farmer extension, farmer to farmer training and processing & marketing are created  under the Federation. The Federation will undertake a host of activities under the expert guidance of KEEF including preparation of Action Plans by each Club to solve their prioratised problems, dissemination of information, technology transfer, experience sharing, processing and value addition, formation of producer groups, common marketing interventions etc. Besides, capacity building of the Farmers Clubs and their members through a variety of farm specific technological interventions and training, adoption of good agricultural practices leading to optimisation of returns etc will be the other priorities. The project also aims at showcasing at least one replicable model of farm enterprise under each of the Farmers Clubs. Thus around one hundred model farm enterprises are expected to be set up during project period.

The most important outcome of this innovative intervention would be creation of a new model for two way technology transfer through the Federation of Farmers Clubs and KEEF. The project is a blend of both product and process innovation and is expected to result in a replicable model for technology diffusion through the intervention of farmers' collectives (Farmers Clubs), research institution (KVK) and promotional agency (NABARD).

NABARD has sanctioned a grant assistance of Rs. 5.95 lakh for the project. KVK will bear the cost of critical inputs, front line demonstrations, training, and extension activities etc. By the end of the project period, the Federation is expected to attain financial sustainability through collection of subscriptions and collective interventions in input supply, marketing etc.

Kakkengad Farmers Club is one among the eighty Clubs from the district affiliated to the Federation and by virtue of its vast experience in extension activities and dissemination of technology, rightly, the President of Club, Shri A.M.Mathew was nominated to the coveted post of Chief Manager of the Federation, a yet another feather in the cap of Kakkengad Farmers Club.

Besides providing technology support, KVK has taken the initiative to aggregate and market value added products manufactured by members of the farmers clubs affiliated to it and also has extended marketing support through branding of the products.  The first value added branded product of virgin coconut oil named "Coco Dew", produced by members of a Joint Liability Group under the fold of Kakkengad Farmers Club was formally launched on 22 Feb 2011 by Dr. P.V. Balachandran, Director of Extension, Kerala Agricultural University.

KVK has developed a software which will enable the farmers clubs to prepare their action plans and projects in association with various developmental agencies. It is a new initiative taken under NABARD- KVK  Federation of Farmers Clubs. Some newspaper reports on the subject can be seen here and here

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Social Interventions

Apart from taking initiatives for technology dissemination, capacity building and inclusive growth through promotion of SHG and JLGs, Kakkengad Farmers Club, during the course of its long journey spanning more than one and a half decades, has undertaken many social interventions in the Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat which won accolades from one and all. The "Debt Swapping Scheme" piloted by NMGB under the guidance of NABARD and anchored by Kakkengad Farmers Club  was  a unique experiment aimed at inclusive growth. The "Litter Free Village Campaign". , "Cleaning of public ponds for water conservation" and "Distribution of essential items to adivasi colonies/destitute homes" are the other socially relevant major interventions shouldered by the Club which attracted media attention.

Some of the other important social interventions undertaken by the Club are:

* Field demonstration on rain water harvesting structures,
* Organising seminar on afforestation and distribution of saplings,
* Setting up of "Jeeva Karunya Nidhi" to provide medical assistance to needy people,
* Organising  free eye testing camp,
* Conducting cancer detection camp,
* Convening a meeting of all cable TV users,
* Organising medical camps on contageous diseases like dengue fever, viral fever,rat fever etc,.
* Conducting classes on consumer awareness,
* Conducting yoga classes,
* Bringing out a telephone directory of grama panchayath,
* Organising annual sports and cultural events for SHG members,
* Institution of best performance awards for SHGs,
* Awareness campaign on rabbies disease,
* Recognising and honouring best farmers
* Organising Gender Sensitisation Programmes,
* Opening of a Library and Information Centre.

The Club earned a good amount of goodwill of the people and media through these socially relevant interventions.

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Promotion of Joint Liability Groups (JLGS)

Based on the experience gained in promotion and credit linking of Self Help Groups (SHGs), Kakkengad Farmers' Club under the guidance of DDM, NABARD, Kannur took the initiative to form and nurture Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of leased land farmers, oral lessees, share cropper as well as small artisans and rural people doing similar activities by giving proper orientation and providing basic training in select activities with the help of  institutions like RUDSETI, KVK etc.

Considering the experience of the Club in social mobilisation, NABARD sanctioned a special project for formation, nurturing, and credit linking of 100 JLGs covering different activities having scope for enterprise creation in Muzhakunnu grama panchayat. after providing requisite training in select activities, the first batch of 24 JLGs were credit linked with an aggregate credit assistance of Rs. 37 lakh on 11 Jan 2011 in a glittering function which was inaugurated by Shri.J.C.Mishra, General Manager, Syndicate Bank. The activities
covered included dairy farming, mushroom cultivation, vegetable cultivation, virgin coconut oil extraction, garment making etc. A report of the inauguration function can be seen here

Here are photos from various JLG groups engaged in their activites

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Rural Information & Services Centre (RISC)

Above everything, what farmers expect is a good price for their produce, latest information on technology and awareness about good agricultural practices. Farmers Clubs promoted by NABARD have the potential to act as the platforms for technology transfer, information sharing and capacity building which are essential to improve the living standards of the farmers. The Rural Information and Service Centre (RISC) set up by Kakkenagad Farmers Club with grant assistance the Farmers Technology Transfer Fund (FTTF) of NABARD is  a humble step in this direction.

RISC, besides providing inputs on package of practices of various crops will provide information on various credit linked schemes being implemented by line departments/agencies. It will also organise awareness meets and skill development training programmes on various income generating activities in agriculture & allied sectors and non - farm sector for the benefit of the rural poor. The centre will also provide other utility services like ticket booking, DTP work, internet services, library etc. Through the platform of RISC, the Club will also coordinate the functioning of the SHGs and JLGs under its fold by providing necessary handholding for credit linkage and enterprise creation, besides providing credit counseling and banking facilitation services. The Club has taken up the task of conducting regular training programmes on various farm, non farm and services sector avocations with the help of NABARD, RUDSETI and KVK using the infrastructure available in the Centre. A project monitoring committee consisting of AGM, NABARD, LDM, representative of NMGB, Agriculture Department will provide necessary guidance to the Centre which was dedicated to the people of Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat by Shri K.C.Shashidhar, Chief General Manager, NABARD on 20 March 2010.

See the News and Photos of the Inaugural Function here

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Message from Mr. K.C.Shashidhar, CGM Nabard

K.C.Shashidhar

Chief General Manager

NABARD, Kerala Regional Office

Trivandrum

The Farmers Club Programme initiated by NABARD has transformed itself into an effective platform for sharing of information on new technologies, capacity building and forging closer relationship between the farming community and the rural financial institutions. The Farmers Clubs in Kerala have taken many bold initiatives covering a wide spectrum of activities benefitting the farming community at large.

I am extremely happy to note that Kakkengad Farmers Club promoted by North Malabar Gramin Bank has taken up many pioneering initiatives under the guidance of  NABARD in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat which has made visible impact in the economic and social status of the resource poor villagers.


The unique Debt Swapping Scheme pioneered by NMGB in partnership with Kakkengad Farmers Club and under the guidance of NABARD was a unique intervention to free the debt ridden farmers of the panchayat from the clutches of the usurious money lenders which caught the attention of the policy makers at the national level. The efforts taken by the Club for social mobilisation through formation of Self Help Groups and enterprise creation through formation of Joint Liability Groups and other initiatives for technology transfer and capacity building with the help of accredited institutions like RUDSETI , KVK etc are worth of emulating.


Kakkengad Farmers Club through its journey spanning more than one and a half decades has carved a niche for itself and I am sure it will add more feathers to its cap in the years to come.


I wish Kakkengad Farmers Club all success in all its future endevour.


(K.C.Shashidhar)

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Message from Mr. V. K. Saigal, Chairman, North Malabar Gramin Bank

V.K.SAIGAL

Chairman

North Malabar Gramin Bank

Kakkengad Farmers Club sponsored by our Kakkengad branch under the Farmers Club Programme of NABARD has carved a niche for itself and has many feathers in its cap. Ever since its inception in 1996, the Club has been undertaking a variety of farmer friendly interventions in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat which have made visible changes in the economic status of the underprivileged section of the society.

The Club provided the platform for grounding our unique debt swapping scheme piloted by us which won accolades from all corners. The role played by the Club in formation and nurturing of Self Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups and providing capacity building for creation of micro enterprises are commendable. The Rural Information and Services Centre set up by the Club is providing a basket of services to the farming community of the gram panchayat. The Club has been maintaining excellent rapport with us and partnering with us in all our programmes.

I am sure Kakkengad Farmers Club which won the best Farmers Club award from NABARD in the state for three consecutive years in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 and at national level during 2007-08 will embark upon many more farmer friendly programmes in future as well. I wish the Club and its members all success in future endeavours.

(V K Saigal)

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Third Tailoring Programme

The third tailoring programme was conducted from 21/02/2011 to 26/04/2011 with 20 participants at the Farmers' Club.

(Here's a photo from the valedictory function)

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Coverage in the Print Media

 The Kakkengad Farmers Club has triggered many social interventions in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat which attracted the attention of print and visual media. Malayala Manoram carried an exclusive full page feature on the activities of the Club titled "Krishi Thanne Jeevitham" in its Metro Manorama edition dated 06 April 2011. The silent fight against "Blade Mafia" through the Debt Swapping Scheme introduced by NMGB in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat anchored by the Club prompted Mathrubhoomi daily to publish a serial feature titled "Mochanam Mani Muzhakunnu" in its Kannur edition dated 23, 24 and 25 December 2008.

           The concerted efforts taken by the Club to free the grama panchayat from indiscriminate use of plastics triggered Malayala Manorama to publish through its Sukrutha Keralam colums a feature titled 'Arogya Meghalayil Ammamarude Panghu"  in its Kannur edition on 09 Oct 2006. The Club's resolve to provide employment opportunities to the job less villagers through training and credit assistance by formation of Joint Liability Groups also caught the attention of the print media. All India Radio, Kannur station produced special fetures on the debt swapping scheme anchored by the Club. See some of the paper clippings

(Issue of Manorama Metro)

(Article about Freeing the poor from the clutches of usurious money lenders)

(Article about indiscriminate use of plastics)

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Distribution of rice to adivasi families

The club distributed rice and other essential commodities to many adivasi families at the time of  need

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Coverage by the Media

          The Kakkengad Farmers Club has triggered many social interventions in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat which attracted the attention of print and visual media. Malayala Manoram carried an exclusive full page feature on the activities of the Club titled "Krishi Thanne Jeevitham" in its Metro Manorama edition dated 06 April 2011. The silent fight against "Blade Mafia" through the Debt Swapping Scheme introduced by NMGB in Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat anchored by the Club prompted Mathrubhoomi daily to publish a serial feature titled "Mochanam Mani Muzhakunnu" in its Kannur edition dated 23, 24 and 25 December 2008.

           The concerted efforts taken by the Club to free the grama panchayat from indiscriminate use of plastics triggered Malayala Manorama to publish through its Sukrutha Keralam colums a feature titled 'Arogya Meghalayil Ammamarude Panghu"  in its Kannur edition on 09 Oct 2006. The Club's resolve to provide employment opportunities to the job less villagers through training and credit assistance by formation of Joint Liability Groups also caught the attention of the print media. All India Radio, Kannur station produced special fetures on the debt swapping scheme anchored by the Club. See some of the paper clippings here

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Software for Farmers

KVK has developed a software which will enable the farmers clubs to prepare their action plans and projects in association with various developmental agencies. It is a new initiative taken under NABARD- KVK  Federation of Farmers Clubs. A newspaper report on the subject is seen above

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Training Programmes

Realising the fact that the resource poor farming community needs to be provided training on supplementary income generation activities, Kakkengad Farmers' Club took the initiative to provide training to select members of SHGs. NABARD came forward to provide grant assistance for organising a two month training programme for those who were assisted under the debt swapping scheme to insulate them from falling back into debt trap once again. Twenty poor rural women were provided training in the two month long programme on tailoring and garment making during 2007. Satisfied with the successful completion of the training programme, NABARD supported a second programme for the same activity in 2008. Almost all the trained poor women are gainfully employed now.

To provide a helping hand to the Club in the ambitious project embarked upon by it to provide employment opportunities to around 1000 rural poor in the grama panchayat, through formation of Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), RUDSETI and KVK, came forward along with NABARD to provide on location training on different avocation in the farm and non farm sectors like dairy farming, goat rearing, exotic vegetable cultivation, virgin coconut oil extraction, mushroom cultivation, rubber tapping etc.

The hall provided in the "Rural Information and Training Centre" set up by the Club with grant assistance from NABARD came handy for the Club to organise the training programmes. So far nine training programmes of different durations have been organised by the Club with the help of NABARD,RUDSETI and KVK in which 227 rural poor have been trained. The Club is helping the trained poor to set up micro enterprises with credit support from NMGB under the JLG concept. These training programmes provided to the rural poor by the Club is expected make a sea change in the economic status of the people of Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat.

The details of training programmes organised by the Club are indicated below.

(Click for Bigger Image)

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Trainees calling on Chairman, NMGB

The participants of the first batch of training on Garment Making which the Club organised under the supervision of NMGB and with grant assistance from NABARD, as a part of their exposure visit, called on the then Chairman of NMGB, Shri S.S.Shet to express their sincere gratitude for all the support extended by the Bank.

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Anniversary Celebrations

The club used to celebrate the anniversaries launching new initiatives and many a time they turned out to be big gatherings of bank's customers.

(A photo from our third Anniversary Celebration)

(A few pictures from out Tenth Anniversary Celebrations)

(A few pictures from out Twelfth Anniversary Celebrations)

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SHG Bank Linkage Programme

SHG Bank Linkage Programme, initiated by NABARD in 1992-03, is acclaimed as the biggest ever programme in the entire world for emancipation of poverty, focussing on the poorest of the poor and the so far unreached and under served segments of the society. The revelation that women are good at savings and debt redemption, has prompted NABARD to select women as the target group of the SHG Bank Linkage Programme. This first bold attempt towards feminisation of credit brought out the inherent potential of the poor womenfolk in waging a war against hunger and emancipation through savings linked credit. The family centric approach, led by women, catapulted the fairer sex to the centre stage of the movement.

Under the guidance of NABARD, in the year 1997 Kakkengad Farmer's Club, initiated the process of formation and nurturing of Self Help Groups in the Muzhakunnu Grama Panchayat and linking them with NMGB. What started as a small initiative has now become a big movement which made a sea change in the lives of the people at the bottom of the pyramid. As many as 260 SHGs are under the fold of the Farmers Club covering more than  4000 families out of which 245 groups are credit linked. The aggregate credit assistance provided to these groups by NMGB exceeded Rs. 300 lakh out of which the total loans outstanding aggregated to Rs. 83 lakh. To coordinate the activities of the SHGs, the Farmers Club has formed a Coordination Committee with representation from each ward of the grama panchayat. Loan facilitation, monitoring of the repayments and capacity building of the members etc are taken care of by the Coordination Committee.

The Kakkengad Farmers' Club has been using the SHGs under its fold as an effective platform for social re-engineering and women empowerment leading to the economic upliftment of the downtrodden who were considered not bankable earlier. Under the leadership of the Club these SHGs spearheaded a campaign to make the grama panchayat free from the clutches of usurious money lenders through an unique debt swapping scheme introduced by NMGB under the guidance of NABARD. To insulate the beneficiaries of the debt swapping scheme from falling back into debt track again, the Farmers Club with support from NABARD embarked upon an ambitious project to form around one hundred activity groups from out of the members of SHGs and facilitate credit support from NMGB under the concept of financing Joint Liability Groups for setting up of micro enterprises after providing training in the select avocations with the help of NABARD, RUDSETI, KVK etc. No doubt, the SHG Bank Linkage model promoted by the Club has made a significant contribution in making a visible positive impact on the economy and social status of Muzhakkunnu grama panchayat.

A news report showing the contribution of SHGs, in uplifting the poor.

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Nabard Lauding our efforts on Debt Swapping

While the debt swapping scheme did not bear desired fruit elsewhere, NABARD lauded the efforts of North Malabar Gramin Bank. The scheme was implemented through the survey conducted by Kakkengad Farmers' Club.

(Expert team from Regional Training college, Mangalore visit to Kakkagad Branch to study the debt swapping scheme)

Excerpts from Nabard's "Report of the Task Force on Credit Related Issues of Farmers"


"3.21 A review of the debt swap schemes of banks has revealed that these schemes had limited success as farmers were reluctant to disclose the name of the money-lenders, were hesitant to make payment of existing debt to their lenders, apprehensive in disclosing debt and some had even repaid the existing debt out of their KCC limits. Even though the Task Force came across some good debt swap schemes (Box 3.2), bankers reported difficulty in taking these to scale and also reported that there was little guarantee that farmers would not ever again borrow from moneylenders, or that a village could remain moneylender free. The Task Force, therefore, recommends that a systematic study be taken by an independent agency to assess the impact of the scheme for further development as a financial product and upscaling". 


The footnote (Box 3.2) Reads

Box 3.2 
Debt Swap Scheme of North Malabar Gramin Bank and South Malabar Gramin Bank of Kerala Comprehensive village survey (household survey) was conducted with the help of members of farmers clubs, SHGs and local NGOs. The survey revealed that the extent of indebtedness ranged from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000, the interest on borrowings ranged from 60% to 120% per annum, and purposes of loan included agriculture, marriage expenses, health, house repair. A screening committee of bank officials, representatives of panchayat, farmers' clubs, SHGs and NGOs interviewed the indebted villagers personally to confirm the findings of the survey and recommended to the concerned branches for disbursal of loans to the indebted persons. The loans were sanctioned directly to the borrowers under GCC, KCC, and through SHGs. The banks did not seek documentary proof for the debt owed by the borrower. No security was insisted upon. It was ensured that the loan was utilised by the borrowers to repay their debt to the moneylender. Bank officials encouraged formation of SHGs of individual borrowers to ensure prompt repayment. To augment the income of borrowers so as to not let them fall again into the clutches of moneylenders, the banks financed the SHGs for income generating activities. 

Nabard's Report can be seen here

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Malayala Manorama Metro covers the club's activities exclusively

Malayala Manorama made a special issue covering the activities of the Kakkengad Farmers' Club stressing our contribution in the Debt Swapping Initiative and our JLG initiative. The page is given below.

(Click the Paper Cutting to read)

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Distributing loans to SHGs

Mr. P A Premakumar, AGM, NABARD distributing loans to SHGs

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International Womens Day and Gender Sensitisation Programme

A photo from event of International Women's Day and Gender Sensitization Programme celebrated at Kakkengad Farmers' Club

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Receiving Best Farmers Club Award of NABARD

Receiving Best Farmers Club Award of NABARD from Shri Mullakkara Ratnakaran, Hon Minister for Agriculture

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Second Tailoring Class

Hers is a photo from our second Tailoring Class

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Scheme for Employment to One Thousand People

A few newspaper reports about our ambitious plan to give employment to One Thousand People

(Link to this paper here)

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Deepam JLG Virgin Coconut Oil Unit

A Virgin Coconut Oil Extraction Unit is run by Deepan JLG, an all women group who are trained by KVK. The product which is having a good market demand is marketed by Federation of NABARD-KVK Farmers Clubs under the common brand name "Coco Dew". Here are a few pictures on the various stages involved in virgin coconut oil extraction.

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Vipanjika JLG Tailoring Unit

Vipanjika JLG, is running a Vanitha Tailoring unit and is managed by an all women members who were trained in the avocation by our Club. The group has hired a room in Chakkad town and the unit is running well. Here are a few photos

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Kadaleevanam JLG Banana Unit

True to its name Kadaleevanam JLG is formed by a group of five farmers who have taken up "Kadali" variety of plantains. Here are a few photos of Shri Krishnan, the group leader's farm

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Gramamlakshmi JLG Ornamental Fish Unit

Gramalakshmi JLG is formed by persons interested in Ornamental Fish breeding and sales. To supplement their income the unit also undertakes rearing of poultry birds and rabbits. The unit has put up a sales outlet at Iritty. Here are a few pictures of the activities of the group.

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Asraya JLG Bakery Unit

Asraya JLG is an all women group runs a unit producing a variety of bakety products which has very good market demand. Here are a few photos on their activities.

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Aiswarya JLG Diary Unit

Aiswarya JLG has a Diary Unit financed by NMGB Kakkengad branch. Here's a few pictures from the unit.

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Cultivation of Cabbage and Cauli Flower

Cabbage and Cauli Flower have always been vegetables imported from the neighbouring states for the people of our village. But when one of our JLG cultivated them, it was a big surprise and a proof that for a group of determined persons nothing is impossible. A news item on the subject from Mathrubhumi daily is here.

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Rabbit Farming Class

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Kakkengad Farmers' Club

The humble beginning........

.

(Shri. K V Mukundan, DDM, NABARD, Kannur formally inaugurating Kakkengad Farmers' Club on 19th March 1996 in a function organised in a rubber plantation at Kakkengad)

(The inauguration function was organised in a nearby Rubber Plantation rather than in a closed auditorium)

Kakkengad Farmers' Club, is an informal body of farmers formed by Kakkengad Branch of North Malabar Gramin Bank, in 1996, under the Farmers Club Programme of NATIONAL BANK FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, NABARD. The main objectives of the Farmers' Club Programme are : "development through credit, technology transfer, and capacity building". Ever since its inception, the Club has been undertaking a host of farmer friendly innovations, the significant amongst them include formation of around 3200 Self Help Groups and federating them at the grama panchayat level; freeing the debt ridden farmers from the clutches of usurious money lenders; setting up of a rural information and service centre; organising training programmes for income generating activities; campaign towards a litter-free village; organising awareness programmes on topics of interest; supply of inputs/planting materials; arranging exposure visits; formation of Joint Liability Groups etc. The Club bagged the Best Farmers Club Award from NABARD for three consecutive years during 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 and also recognition at the national level for the Best Farmers' Club during 2007-2008.

(Board directing to our office placed at Kakkengad Town)

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Certificates of Merit

A few of the certificates we received

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