The Hindu Business Line : Girijan co-op targets Rs 135-cr turnover

THE Girijan Co-operative Corporation Ltd (GCCL) has set itself the target of achieving a turnover of Rs 135 crore and procuring minor forest produce and agriculture produce worth Rs 25 crore during the current financial year (2003-2004), Mr G. Nagesh, the Chairman, has said.

At a press meet here on Thursday after the annual review of the corporation's performance, he said the GCCL would procure Rs 2,050 lakh- worth of minor forest produce and Rs 450 lakh-worth agricultural produce.

Further, the corporation would supply essential commodities to Girijans to the extent of Rs 50 crore and also sell them quality consumer products worth of Rs 42 crore at reasonable prices. It would provide credit of Rs 5 crore and recover at least Rs 5 crore of the past credit, he said. Through its retail marketing division, GCCL plans to sell products worth Rs 10 crore.

During 2002-2003, he said, the corporation had achieved a total turnover of Rs 110.05 crore and the procurement of minor forest produce and agricultural produce amounted to Rs 20.10 crore.

Credit disbursement and recovery during the year were Rs 2.81 crore and Rs. 2.65 crore respectively. The retail sales amounted to Rs 4.44 crore.

Mr Vidya Sagar, Managing Director, GCCL, said the corporation would focus on procurement of honey, gum, nuxvomica and soap nuts from Girijans and special emphasis would be laid on medicinal herbs.

GCCL was tying up with the Forest Department to conduct training programmes for Girijans in raising medicinal plants and the user industries were also being roped in, he said.

He said Girijans were also being trained in new techniques of gum-tapping, collection of honey from combs and better collection methods in general. This would pave way for better quality and higher returns. He said the Girijans were getting prices in the range of Rs 30-125 per kg of gum and Rs 30-45 per kg of honey at present.

Honey processing units have been set up at Rajahmundry and Araku and soap-making unit at Vizianagaram. Ten tamarind processing units have also been set up in different districts, he said.

The branded products of the corporation, especially honey and tamarind, were well received by the public, he said.

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Girijan co-op targets Rs 135-cr turnover