NERAMAC's Sales Turn over increases three-fold during the last two years
- Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Govt of India -

New Delhi, 8th June, 2011

"It is heartening to see that the sales turnover of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) has increased more than three-folds from Rs 36.91 crore in 2008-09 to the current level of Rs. 101.65 crore. I thank all the stakeholders which include the farmers, the employees of the NERAMAC and all 8 State Governments in the Region", said Shri B K Handique, Minister of DoNER.

NERAMAC, a Public Enterprise under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) registered a record sales turnover of Rs. 101.65 Crore during 2010-11 over the preceding year of Rs 89.90 Crore. The final accounts for the year 2010-11 have recently been approved by the Board.

Shri Handique also stated "Innovative and focussed initiatives like setting up of a Large Cadrmom Auction Centre at Rangpo, Sikkim, establishing linkages with the Passion Fruit Growers Association of Manipur, channelizing organges produced in remote areas of Arunachal like Tezu and Wakro to Bangladesh border paid rich dividends to the farmers of the region".

It has also procured & marketed various other items such as turmeric, large cardamom, maize, Ground Nut Cake etc, input supplies like fertilizer, assorted seeds, planting materials and floriculture items under the Horticulture Mission for North East & Hill States (HMNEHS) & National Horticulture Mission supplies. It has tied up with reputed companies in the field of setting up of various Horticultural Projects like High-tech green house, tissue culture laboratory and supply of planting materials. It also helped in supporting tiny and small scale processors in marketing their end products.

By directly procuring produce from the farmers, NERAMAC ensured better prices to the farmers.It also helped building linkages through MoU between farmer's Societies and manufacturers of processed foods having FPO licenses. It built confidence among farmers & producers for a better network of procurement through NERAMAC.

"NERAMAC played a significant role by intervening in the sourcing, procuring and marketing of cash crops like ginger, fresh pineapple, cashew nut, Kiwi fruits etc. from the farmers of the NRegion. Its role as a dynamic marketing organization, essentially to support farmers, has started showing visibility through its operations to sustain famers' interest in production by application of post harvest technology", added the Minister of DoNER.

Another critical area addressed by NERAMAC has been the involvement of private sector in the field of processing to tap the market potential for Kiwi & Passion fruit. Linkage were established with Passion Fruit Growers Association of Manipur and started procuring single strength passion fruit juice from them to make end product through private and women entrepreneurs. These products are being marketed by NERAMAC successfully. Similiarly, introduced Kiwi fruit RTS & Squashes by sourcing Kiwi fruit from Arunachal Pradesh by involving private entrepreneur group.

In order to support the large cardamom growers of Sikkim, NERAMAC has set up a Large Cardamom Auction Centre at Rongpo, Sikkim during the last fiscal year. Large cardamom growers are getting immense benefit as it has given them edge in getting value to their produce. Traders & groups from all over the country are now participating in this auction program which has given a fillip to the producers who were virtually at the mercy of Siliguri traders earlier. NERAMAC has taken a lead role in setting up an outlet at Siliguri Regulated market to way forward produces like Oranges and other fresh produces.

Besides above, Company has hosted a series of programs in the NER to scale up awareness among the fresh agri-preneurs and to attract investment in food processing from reputed national players with the financial support of MoFPI. With support of Ministry of DoNER and NEC, it has also organized several Capacity Building Programs for the local youths on important cash crops like Ginger, Pineapple, Passion Fruits and Oranges grown naturally organic in the region. NERAMAC also arranged visits for the local entrepreneurs from the region to Gurgaon in Mumbai for INDIA PACK an international packaging program to expose them to best packaging in the country and abroad. Similar visits were also arranged to International Meet on Agri-business at Mysore and to CFTRI. –EOM-