e-choupals launched in TN

ITC Ltd has expanded its e-Choupal network to Tamil Nadu with the initial launch at Sivagangai.

Commenting on the launch, ITC chairman Y C Deveshwar said, “ITC’s proven expertise in the agri sector will now be available to the poorest of farmers in Tamil Nadu and give them an opportunity to leverage the power of information technology and also benefit from high quality extension services.”

ITC’s e-Choupal network currently covers 40,000 villages in India and has benefited over 4 million farmers so far. The Choupal Pradarshan Khet initiative, which currently covers 43,500 hectares, has a multiplier impact and reaches out to over 1 million farmers.

The e-Choupal network in Tamil Nadu will provide quality agri extension services to help farmers increase productivity of crops like paddy.

The digital infrastructure, including a dedicated website in Tamil, will provide farmers with a host of information related to know how, best practices, timely and relevant weather information.

The e-Choupal will enhance the bargaining power of farmers through the establishment of a virtual cooperative and thereby provide access to quality and cost competitive agricultural inputs.

The extension services will also specifically address the challenges faced by farmers in these predominantly dryland areas to improve yields and quality of crops.

ITC’s ‘Choupal Pradarshan Khet’ launched recently in several parts of the country is a high quality agri extension service that brings the benefits of best practices to farmers, with pro-active handholding to ensure productivity gains.

These services will be customised to meet local conditions, ensure timely availability of farm inputs including insurance and credit, and also progressively provide a cluster of farmer schools for capturing indigenous knowledge.