Tiruchirappalli: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that the Central Government is making continuous efforts to promote the value-added industry for the famous GI (Geographical Indication)-certified Samba chili in the Tiruchirappalli and Virudhunagar districts of Tamil Nadu. She emphasized that farmers should not limit themselves to selling raw agricultural produce; instead, special attention is being focused on increasing their income through processing and value addition.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the ‘Uzhavar Producers Company’ (Global Agro Chili Company) in Tiruchirappalli on Saturday, the Union Finance Minister described the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening the economic status of farmers. She noted that the company would manufacture various value-added products from GI-certified Samba chili, thereby helping farmers secure better prices for their produce and gain access to new markets.
Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that this project has been launched with financial support from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). She remarked that this is not merely an industrial unit but an effective model for organizing farmers and making them self-reliant. According to her, such farmer producer companies are opening doors to new possibilities in the agricultural sector.
She stated that the ‘Uzhavar Producers Company’ would not only provide a platform for farmers to sell their produce but also offer essential services such as credit facilities, technical guidance, modern processing technology, quality control, packaging, branding, and marketing. This would enable farmers to derive greater benefits from their harvest and lead to a sustainable increase in their income.
The Union Finance Minister affirmed that the Government of India aims to support farmers at every stage of agriculture. She observed that processing agricultural produce locally and introducing value-added products to the market would provide new strength to the rural economy and boost employment opportunities. Highlighting the characteristics of the Samba chilli, she noted that it is a traditional and distinctive agricultural produce from Tamil Nadu, holding Geographical Indication (GI) status due to its quality and unique flavor. She emphasized the need to ensure that the benefits of this recognition reach the farmers, enabling them to compete more effectively in national and international markets.
Nirmala Sitharaman stated that organizing farmers and empowering them through Farmer Producer Companies (FPOs) is a key priority for the Central Government. She remarked that if small and marginal farmers engage in collective production, processing, and marketing, their costs would decrease while their profits rise; the ‘Uzhavar Producers Company’ stands as a successful example of this approach.
She also commended the role of SIDBI, noting that the institution has made a significant contribution to realizing this ambitious project by providing financial assistance. According to her, such collaboration between financial institutions and Farmer Producer Organizations can play a pivotal role in the development of agro-based industries.
The Finance Minister mentioned that the Central Government is implementing various schemes to promote innovation, modern technology, and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. These schemes aim to provide support to farmers at every stage, from production to marketing. She added that value addition and agro-processing would generate employment in rural areas and provide fresh momentum to the local economy.
She further observed that the economic progress of farmers cannot be achieved through government assistance alone; rather, the agricultural sector can reach new heights only through the collective efforts of farmers, financial institutions, industries, and marketing agencies. The ‘Uzhavar Producers Company’ represents an inspiring initiative in this direction and could serve as a model for other states across the country.
Farmers and local entrepreneurs present at the event welcomed the project, expressing hope that it would provide Samba chilli growers with better market access, higher incomes, and new business opportunities. Experts believe that if this model is successfully scaled up, it could give a significant boost to value-added agro-industries in Tamil Nadu and other agricultural regions across the country. At the conclusion of the event, Nirmala Sitharaman urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, processing techniques, and collective marketing systems. She expressed confidence that through Farmer Producer Companies, the agricultural sector would become more competitive, farmers’ incomes would rise, and India would achieve new milestones in agro-based industries.
