ESAF

Farmers in India face a plethora of challenges on a daily basis. They struggle to widen their scope because of a lack of awareness and facilities. They lack the entrepreneurship drive, marketing skills and financial linkages which are essential for a sustainable and profitable business. ESAF Krushakmitras are designated to support the farmers on the aforementioned fronts and evolve as opinion leaders who educate the farmers on the latest technological innovations in farming and bring the problems of farmers to the attention of concerned authorities.

ESAF Krushkamitra project is aimed at developing Agri- Entrepreneurship. Technology has widened the scope of Agri-business. This resulted in the emergence of local leaders who act as linkers between farmers and extension personnel. They exercise influence in bringing accelerated adoption of technologies. The Krushakmitras are trained on Agri. extension and Agri products which helped them to sell the product and generate income. We have trained 20 Krushakmitras from TNAU-Paiyur and they have been given demo Agri Input kits to generate leads. They will be linked as agents of ESAF Small Finance Bank for facilitating Agri financial services to the farmers. The idea of a soil testing lab was also introduced to them and three Krushakmitras have shown interest. Through the project, ESAF could support Krushakmitras with Rs. 4,000 as an honorarium for the completion of the Demo and generation of leads for selling Bio Cedar products.

Through this project, the PDS has trained 20 Krushakmitras from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Project Objectives

To train and establish a cadre of ‘Krushakmitras’ to provide agriculture-related services locally.

To improve the socio-economic condition of poor farmers in remote areas by promoting Agri-entrepreneurship.

Activities

A baseline survey to determine the needs of farmers.
Developing entrepreneurship through skill-based training and interventions.
Giving infrastructural support to selected entrepreneurs.

Impacts

19 Krushakmitras who have been trained through the project have done 557 Agri demonstrations with 7,467 farmers.

Krushakamitras identified loan requirements in MH and MP.

A few Krushakamitras submitted loan applications with ESAF bank to start Agri Input shops.

Two FPCs have entered into an agreement with ESPCL for the supply of Bio Cedar. One order worth Rs. 60,000 has been received and delivered at a profit of Rs. 15,000

A couple of Krushakmitras have initiated Dealership License Process.

Krushakmitra, a game-changer

The story of Anil Kumar

Anil Kumar was born and brought up in Gowribidhanur, Karnataka. He was another victim of Covid induced job loss. Having studied only up to the 12th standard he found it difficult to get a new job. Through Shiva Shankar, the coordinator, he came to know about Krsuhakmitra training given by ESAF. He did not even have enough money to pay for the training, but the Vatadhahosalli FPC paid on his behalf. He was then trained by ESAF on Nursery development, and the use of Biofertilizer and pesticides promoted by ESPCL. He then set up a nursery with the support of ESAF

So far, he has sold 5 lakh saplings and entered into an agreement with ESPCL for the supply of Bioproducts. He acknowledged that the Krushakmitra project was a game-changer that transformed his life.

A passion to excel in his chosen field

The story of Pankaj Pise

Pankaj Pise, an agriculture graduate with a passion for entrepreneurship, is a native of Pardi village, 12 km from Kalamb. When Pankaj started the shop, he was hardly aware of marketing opportunities and customer acquisition methods. When the PDS staff introduced to him the concept of ESAF Krushakmitra and the learning opportunity it offered, he simply seized the chance. “ The training helped me to become a better businessman. Now I understand the customer better and have better product knowledge to convince them,” he acknowledged.

Reaping a fortune through Haritha loans

The story of Bhavika Bele

Bhavika Bele was born and brought up in Yavatmal block, one of the most drought-hit districts of Vidarbha in Maharashtra. Being brought up in a farmer family at a place, which was notorious for the highest farmer suicide rate, Bhavika had seen it all. She was determined to bring a radical change to her community. Later, she graduated in social work with this sole purpose in mind. After learning about the ESAF Krushakmitra project, she invariably got in touch with the PDS authorities. Despite poor network connection and power failures, amidst the training, she came out with flying colours. Bhavika took DSA as a revenue model for her post-training job. She introduced loan products of ESAF SFB to the farmers and generated a significant number of leads. Due to poor CIBIL scores, many farmers failed to get the loan amount. Not someone to easily give up, Bhavika worked hard on her customer profile and managed to win a Haritha loan of Rs.1.60 lakh for a farmer named Chandrasekhar from Madavi village. This spurred her to source more quality leads. Now, she dreams of buying a scooter so that she can go to more villages and work among the farmers.

ESAF Krushakmitra