MARGAO: Since its inception on 1st January 1993 with only 21 shareholders, the Adarsh Krishi Sahakari Kharedi Vikri Prakriya Saunstha Maryadit has grown by leaps and bounds and earned itself not only recognition but acclaim and accolades at national as well as international level.
Today the society has 16,822 shareholders with a paid up share capital of nearly Rs 1.44 crores. While its deposits stand at nearly Rs 50.96 crore it has reserve and surplus of Rs. Nearly 2.13 crore. As against the Rs. 23.25 crore loans and advances given by it, it has investment to the tune of Rs. 22.78 crore.
Through its 41 branches or centres all over Goa, the society has transacted business of around Rs. 236.23 crore with the help of the 104 staff members it has.
It is ranked first in the country for converting to organic farming of cashews having brought 7184 hectares under organic farming and has the world record of helping 618 children through the Adarsh Remedial Coaching Clases in the last three years.
The society has enlisted 2,715 organic cashew growers in Goa in 83 different villages of Goa and this achievement has been recognized the world over for which it received many accolades.
The society has its own premises at Balli that were inaugurated in 1997 and where it now proposes to set up a higher secondary school with hostel facilities for tribal students.
The society had started work in 18 different areas but due to bad experience or hardships had to drop 10 projects and continues to work in the remaining eight strengthening them and making them more beneficial to the society.
Prakash Velip chairman of the society admitted that the cashew factory at Sanguem was dropped because they could not market the produce as quickly as required. However it has tied up with Achal Industries Mangalore where Goan cashews are processed, packaged and sold to even western countries like Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Japan and United Kingdom.
“We are working to have Goan cashews packaged in Goa itself under brand Goa and marketed from here shortly,” he said in reply to a question.
The society is in the process of setting up the Adarsh Krishi Bazaar at Arlem where all implements required for agriculture will be available under one roof. Velip also said he plans to restart the Adarsh Gav Bazaar where a mobile van would visit villages with farmers’ produce to give fresh agriculture produce to the people.
