Value Added Products Helped K. Preethi to Double Her Income
Nursery Today Desk
New Delhi: Value added products are very beneficial as it helps to raise income as well as to create long lasting end products. Government is also trying to train farmers and making them aware about these farming techniques using modern technologies.
Here is the story of a well-educated women who turned to farming and became a progressive farmer. Learning about modern technologies and value added crops, she has doubled her income. K. Preethi is from a small village of Seepalakottal in Tamil Nadu’s Theni District.
With the help of training programmes for Malligai Horticulture Farmer Producer Group (FPG) members on Value Added Products from fruits especially Grapes and Bananas given by CENDECT Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Theni, she learnt about these farming techniques and built her business. Her income increased by 53% annually after coming to CENDECT KVK.
When she was asked about her decision to adapt value addition of fruits, she said, “My goal in learning about value addition is to spread awareness because it not only increases revenue but also ensures that the finished product lasts for a very long period. Additionally, I intended to give jobs to both the urban and rural people .”
Other than training sessions at KVK Theni, Preethi also availed benefits of the central government scheme Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprise (PM FME) for One District One Product (ODOP) linked with the Line Departments and KVIC, Madhuri for availing loan from PMEGP scheme. Marketing linkages were also created for her with line departments, FPOs, SHGs, NABARD Rural Mart, and supermarkets. Coca-Cola India provided her with additional assistance in her farming endeavors in addition to numerous training sessions and government assistance.
Outstanding Results
Preethi developed a number of value-added products from her produce, including grape squash, dried grapes, and various types of banana flour, including Nendran Banana Flour, Red Banana Flour, G9 Banana Flour, Banana Nutri Mix, Banana Baby Food, Banana Flour Chapati Mix, and Banana Flour Soup Mix by implementing the technical knowledge and skills she learnt through KVK training programmes.
Preethi’s Notable Achievements
Her work has been recognized and appreciated by many organizations. She has been certified for FSSAI and MSME registration. CENDECT KVK in its International Women Day programme honored with Best Entrepreneur Award. She has participated in the District Level Exhibitions in different blocks of Theni District. She was also selected as Best Farmer Award under ATMA in the year 2022-2023. She was also given opportunity to participate in Makkal TV Program and share her success journey for wider coverage. After participated in the TV Programme she gets regular order from different districts of Tamil Nadu for her products.
