The Hindu Business Line : MASS launches mini pepper packets

MANGALORE Agriculturists' Souharda Sahakari (MASS) Ltd introduced small packets of pepper in the market on Monday which is its second such initiative by MASS in retailing of agriculture products. Last year, it came out with small packets of arecanut.

The President of the Karnataka Apex Cooperative Bank and one of the promoters of MASS, Mr M.N. Rajendra Kumar, who formally launched the small packets, said that cooperative sector should take all new ideas, which are viable, into its fold.

Arecanut and pepper retailing ventures are a beginning in this regard. Such new ideas would help in the development of cooperative sector, he said.

Stressing the need for value addition to arecanut, he said that some of the progressive farmers are doing work in this matter.

Some of them have proved that tender arecanut can be used in the preparation of ready-to-drink product and wine. Such research activities should be encouraged. Stating that MASS is making efforts to market these products, he said the cooperative has also held discussions with a few companies.

Farm loan interest: Mr Kumar said that Karnataka Apex Cooperative Bank has brought down the interest rates on agriculture loans from 9.5 per cent to 8 per cent. The bank has registered a profit of Rs 5 crore last year.

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