Nafed Chairman Bijender Singh met union minister Narendra Singh Tomar and apprised him of various activities undertaken by the agri co-operative in recent times. Bijender also sought more business for Nafed from the Minister.
“Primarily a courtesy call, I discussed several issues with the Minister who heard me patiently and assured of all help; I am grateful for the courtesy he showed towards me”, said Bijender talking to Indian Cooperative after the meeting.
I told the Minister that Nafed today is equipped with a highly trained manpower and can take up any responsibility the govt entrusts it with, said Bijender hinting at Nafed’s desire to play a part in achieving the government’s target of giving free ration to all till Dipawali. The Prime Minister has already made an announcement to that effect.
Nafed takes pride in the fact that it carried out the responsibility of distributing pulses to states during the last Lockdown on time. “Nafed could reach out to a remote place like Andaman Nicobar within the stipulated time with the pulses’ ‘, claimed Bijender.
“In recent years we have shouldered all the responsibilities given to us”, said Bijender listing activities like purchase, distribution, animal vaccination, etc. The story of storing onion and ensuring a fair return to apple growers of J&K is well-known, he added.
It is no secret that Nafed has been doing quite well over a period of time, after a huge setback in the wake of tie-up losses. It had earned an impressive profit of 289.09 crore before tax in 2019-20 FY and given dividends to the shareholders last year after a gap of many years.
This year again, the agri cooperative has earned an impressive profit, though details are awaited. “According to a rough estimate Nafed has earned a profit of 494.28 crore before tax in 2020-21 FY and it has decided to offer a 12% dividend”, Bijender informed Indian Cooperative. The date of AGM is not final yet, he said in response to a query.
Besides the usual job of procurement at the behest of the govt, Nafed is contributing to the govt’s efforts in reviving the economy of J&K. It is reviving the apples orchids and helping in the formation of crop specific FPOs in each district.
Nafed has also signed an MoU with Global Tiger Forum with an aim to develop FPOs in areas where men and animals clash frequently. The goal is both to conserve the wildlife ecosystem and protect the life and property of people living in wildlife landscapes.
Last week, Food and Public Distribution Secretary, Sudhanshu Pandey E-launched Nafed’s Fortified Rice Bran Oil with an aim to reduce the country’s consumption dependence on imported edible oil.