TTD To Help Adivasi by Procuring Forest Produce Through APGCC
TTD to source premium Araku coffee, honey, dry chillies, soap nut powder, and cashew through the state-run AP Girijan Cooperative Corporation
Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has decided to procure more products through the Andhra Pradesh Girijan Cooperative Corporation (APGCC), thereby helping thousands of Adivasi families dependent on forest produce, apart from tribal coffee growers in the Araku Valley.
Among the products the TTD will source through GCC include honey, dry chillies, soap nut powder, and cashew, giving these tribal products a steady market.
TTD trust board, headed by chairman B.R. Naidu, has approved the procurement of 7,200 kg of premium instant coffee powder worth Rs 1.01 crore at Rs 1,414.35 per kg. The coffee is manufactured exclusively from Arabica beans procured from tribal farmers in the Araku Valley.
Though the price is more than double the existing procurement rate of Rs 617.40 per kg, the board proposal notes that the coffee contains no Robusta admixture, carries a GI tag, and is recognised for its superior quality and authenticity.
Further, the board has approved the purchase of 4,000 kg honey at Rs 437.85 per kg and 1,000 kg of soap nut powder at Rs 218.40 per kg. Both are already being sourced from GCC. In addition, it has approved procurement of 1.35 lakh kg of dry chillies at Rs 219.45 per kg, which is about 20 per cent lower than the existing procurement price of Rs 274.60 per kg. Chairman Naidu said the decision ensures savings, while expanding market access for tribal producers.
Among other products are procurement of 75,000 kg of cashew kernels from GCC at the rates finalised through its tender process — Rs 847.79 per kg for whole cashews and Rs 911 per kg for split cashews. This assured order ensures GCC a steady buyer. The temple body actually requires around 11 lakh kg of whole and split cashews annually. However, it will procure the balance through tenders
The board has decided to negotiate the prices quoted by GCC for 40,000 kg of turmeric powder at Rs 201.60/kg against the existing rate of Rs 144/kg; apart from 33,000 kg of chilli powder at Rs 257.25/kg against the existing rate of Rs 239.75/kg, and 24,000 kg of kumkum at Rs 225.75/kg against the existing rate of Rs 180/kg. The TTD purchase committee has recommended negotiations to reduce the prices. Yet, it has suggested that procurement could still be considered because GCC is a government organisation under the Tribal Welfare Department working with tribal communities.
According to Chairman Naidu, the total value of the approved procurement from GCC is Rs 12.97 crore for one year.
Before the board approved the proposals, TTD's quality laboratory tested and found the product samples acceptable. GCC also submitted laboratory reports confirming that its products meet the required standards.