GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
ABSTRACT
Agriculture Department – Agriculture Action Plan – Scheme of forming Rythu Mitra Groups in the State – Approved – Orders – Issued.
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G.O.Ms.No.167 Dated:
25-06-2003
Read the following:
1. From the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture A.P. Hyderabad Lr. No. Plg (3) 213/2003 dt – 31/5/2003.
2. From the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture A.P.Hyderabad Lr.No.Extn. 1/900/2003 dt – 17/6/2003.
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ORDER
In the reference 1st read above, as part of Agriculture Action Plan, the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture has proposed for formation of 2,00,000 ( Two Lakh ) Rythu Mitra Groups (RMG) in the State to develop pressure groups which will serve their common interest regarding technology transfer, access to market information, self supporting finance mechanism and there by leading to economic growth. He has indicated that the financial implications of the scheme would be Rs. 350 crores i.e, Rs. 50 crores for initial operations and Rs.300 crores for matching grant for 2 lakh Rythu Mitra Groups. After one year, based on the savings and performance of each Group, Bank linkage will also be established.
2. In the reference 2nd read above, the Commissioner & Director of Agriculture has furnished the modalities and guidelines for forming and functioning of Rythu Mitra Groups with the financial assistance of Rs.350 Crores .
3. The proposals in the references cited have been examined and after careful consideration of the matter, Government hereby approve inprinciple the formation of 2,00,000 (Two lakh) Rythu Mitra Groups with an out lay of Rs. 350 crores i.e., Rs. 50 crores for initial operation and Rs. 300 crores for matching grant. The modalities and guidelines for forming and functioning of 2,00,000 Rythu Mitra Groups as approved by the Government are Annexed to this order.
4. The Commissioner & Director of Agriculture A.P.Hyderabad is requested to take necessary action in the matter.
5. This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Deptt. vide their Uo.No.4367/FS (R&E)/2003. dt – 3/6/2003.
(BY
ORDER AND IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH)
S.P.SINGH
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
To
The Commissioner and Director of Agriculture,
A.P.Hyderabad.
Copy to :-
Finance (BG/ Expr. A&C ) Department
Information & Public Relations Department
G.A.(Cabinet) DEpartment
P.S. to Hon’ble Chief Minister
p.S. to Hon’ble Minister (Agriculture )
SF/SC
// FORWARDED BY ORDER //
SECTION OFFICERE
FUNCTIONING
OF RYTHU MITRA
GROUPS
Background
Government of Andhra Pradesh proposes to
bring about holistic development in the lives of the marginalized and
vulnerable small and marginal men and women farmers by facilitating and
strengthening collective action. Department of Agriculture, with its paramount
responsibility for Agriculture development of the state and its farmers, has
taken the lead for organizing farmers
into Rythu-Mitra Groups. The State's experience of developing women's group has
been found very positive through means of Self Help Groups ( SHGS).
It is proposed to form 2
lakh Rythu Mitra Groups (RMG) consisting of small and marginal farmers
including tenant farmers in the State
which will serve their common interest regarding technology transfer,
access to market information, self supporting finance mechanism and thereby
lead to their sustainable economic development
Under the scheme all types of farmers ( men, women
and tenants ) are eligible to form RMGs
, Like wise existing groups of men
and women shall also be considered as RMG provided they conform to the guidelines of the scheme particularly with regard to successful
operations of credit and thrift activities and eligibility otherwise. But no financial grant will be provided to
such groups with member having received any financial assistance from
Government previously by virtue of their being members of any SHG.
·
All the marginal, small including tenant farmers in
a village are eligible to become members of Rythu Mitra Groups(RMGs)
·
The group will
be known as Rythu Mitra. Names of the members choice could be prefixed.
·
RMGs should be
formed keeping in mind the imperatives of logistic compatibility taking into
consideration of commodity, area or any factor, which will help keep the group
intact.
·
The optimum
number of farmers in a group will be 15.
·
One family will
be represented by one member only
·
The
responsibility of forming RMG's lies with the Agriculture Department.
·
Each RMG will
select a Convener and a co-convener from among its members and jointly operate
the bank account and conduct thrift and loaning activities.
·
Each farmer will
pay Rs.20/- as membership fee
·
In each RMG
thrift habit will be promoted and minimum monthly savings of Rs.50/- per month
per member will be targeted.
Guidelines
for management of RMG.
·
Each RMG should
meet once in a fortnight at a place of the members choice with specific agenda
and the discussions shall take place in a democratic and transparent manner.
·
Each RMG will
maintain registers like minutes book, savings register, loan register, bank
passbook and members maintained individual passbook etc.
·
All farm based
and allied activities will be taken up by the groups and credit access will be
facilitated.
·
RMG shall also
address social issues during their regular meetings.
·
Each RMG will
be given orientation training from time to time on various technological
interventions and also about the programs being implemented by the development
Departments
·
RMG will be
taking up financially sustainable group activities and the members micro-credit
requirement.
·
RMG will
interact and exchange ideas on
scientific agriculture.
·
Convergence of
extension programmes will be sought to be achieved for purpose of synergy to
the practicable extent.
·
Activities like
soil based farming, fertilizer enhancing , cropping , organic health
improvement, productivity improvement and in due course seed production ,
positioning , bio fertilizers , vermin compost , horticulture , fisheries
activities could be taken up. Marketing of produce, Providing market
intelligence , agri- business, Agro industries will be activities on the road
map of development and consolidation of groups.
·
A progressive
farmer from each group - to be called
the “contact farmer”, will be the
contact person for various extension activities.
·
These contact
farmers will be trained on stages of crops, and low cost solutions to problems
and replicable initiatives from local farmer and best management practices.
·
Rs.2500 will be given as a grant on formation of RMG to
take care of Capacity building, exposure visits, purchase of registers etc.
·
Groups will be
reviewed after 6-9 months and depending upon their thrift and group
performance, a matching grant of about Rs15000 will be provided
Accountability
·
Agriculture
Extension Officer/Multi purpose Extension Officer will be responsible for formation
and constant activation of the RMGs. One AEO/MPEO will be positioned for 1000
ha. Mandal Agriculture Officer will be over all responsible for proper functioning of the RMGs in the mandal,
Mandal Development Officer will be the supervising Officer in respect to
Mandals besides Assistant Director of Agriculture.
Monitoring
·
A core group
will be formed at the Commissionerate of Agriculture with members from, ANGRAU,
Farmers Federation, SLBC convener, MANAGE etc
to oversea the implementation of
total scheme.
·
Further in the
district a committee consisting of District Collector as Chairman, PDDPAP,
PDDRDA, Project Co-coordinator Velugu, Lead District Manager, DM, NABARD, Joint
Director (AH), Assitant Director (Horticulture), Assistant Director (Fisheries),
Assistant Director (Marketing) with JD Agriculture as Convener will monitor
field implementation of the programmes in the district.
·
The District
Collector will be in overall charge of the implementation of the scheme in the
district and shall be free to utilize the services of any NGO/other organization in pursuit of the objective of the
scheme
R.P.SINGH
SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
(Govt.Memo.No.7708/Agri.III (2)/2003-1 dt –12/6/2003)
(From the C&DA A.P.Hyd. Lr.No.Extn.I/900/03 dt –17/6/2003)
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As per the Council Resolution No.118(9)/2003 dt – 5/6/2003 at flag (A) the Commissioner and Director of Agriculture was
requested to workout modalities and guidelines for formation of Rytu Mithra Groups in the State for approval of Hon,ble Chief Minister. The Commissioner and Director of Agriculture has accordingly furnished the draft modalities and guidelines for the proposed formation and functioning of Rytu Mithra Groups duly incorporating the suggestions made while discussing the issue on 5/6/2003.
The file may now be circulated to Hon’ble Chief Minister through CS and Min.(Agri.) for approval of the modalities and guidelines on formation and functioning of Rytu Mithra Groups in the State put up at flag (B) below.