Deepak Fertilisers And Petrochemicals Corp. Ltd. (DFPCL) sets up innovative ‘Mahadhan Saarrthie Centres’ to offer holistic agri-business solutions and services

DFPCL’s Agribusiness Division has emerged as an integrated nutrient management solution and service provider with the launch of its first Mahadhan Saarrthie Centre at Manchar in Pune district on October 28, 2006. To the first pilot project, it has added two more Mahadhan Saarrthie Centres at Sangamner in Ahmednagar district and Pimpalgaon in Nashik district

‘Mahadhan Saarrthie’ aims to provide total agri solutions through soil, water, plant testing facilities vis a vis complete crop nutritional management, utlising its range of plant nutrient products which include secondary and micronutrients in addition to the primary nutrient (NPK). The centres will also provide marketing linkage to the farmer for his farm produce with product buy back and retailing. The aim is to provide a complete basket of solutions and techno-commercial services to ensure higher yields and thus profitability for Indian farmers.

The name ‘Saarrthie’ means providing guidance and direction to achieve an objective. Each Mahadhan Saarrthie extension centers will operate from centrally located office in a potential area/market place. To provide efficient service, each centre will be managed by an Agronomist who will be assisted by a team of supervisors and technical assistants. A team of 5-6 Saarthie supervisors will support the Agronomist with field work. Each Saarthie supervisor will also provide dedicated services like soil /water/plant testing, crop based technical advise, etc. to a group of 150-200 farmers for a selected crop. The technical assistants will service the farmers in concentrated group of villages. During the first year of operation it plans to bring about 1800 farmers under ‘Mahadhan Saarthie’ umbrella.

Each Centre will also provide an intangible service to farmers by providing them valuable information pertaining to selected crops from its library and internet facility made available at the centre. As a support and customer service in future, it will help in facilitating crop loans and weather insurance products.

All the services provided through these centers will be on paid basis. A farmer will be enrolled as a member on payment of a lifetime membership fee, and will be provided a photo identity card. Services such as soil, water and plant testing will also be provided on chargeable basis. Besides this members will also have to pay for advisory services on crop acreage basis. Field visits and crop guidance by a panel of scientists will be a part of this service.

A farmer can enroll himself as a member on payment of a lifetime membership fee and will be provided a photo identity card. Video shows and education films will also be provided as part of the training and development.

Each ‘Mahadhan Saarrthie’ Centre will offer the following:

Soil, water, plant testing facilities for the member farmers.

Farm advisory through prescription, expert advice ,field visits, crop guidance, panel advisory committee.

Provide complete range of ‘Mahadhan’ plant nutrition products through our distribution network.

Knowledge dissemination through audiovisual training aids, Internet etc.

	Provide marketing linkages through tie-ups with product procurement agencies, for e.g. food processing industries including potato chip manufacturers, sugar factories etc.
	Visit by experts and arranging crop seminars.
	Facilitate in obtaining crop loans, crop insurance and weather insurance. Provide information about agriculture development programmes of State and Central government.