The Hindu Business Line : Rural Business Hub idea gets good response in AP

Fresh ideas
RBH involves public-private-panchayat partnership to improve locally available resources
Agro-processing companies plan to procure directly from farmers.
Farmers will receive inputs on improving pre- and post-harvest results.

Hyderabad , Nov. 8

The Rural Business Hub (RBH) initiative, jointly launched by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Union Ministry of Panchayat Raj, is taking roots in Andhra Pradesh with at least five companies, including two large agro-processing companies, showing interest in joining the hub.

Announcing this here on Wednesday at the `Rural Business Hubs - Partnering Growth' meet organised by the CII, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy, AP Minister for Panchayat Raj, said that the State chapter of RBH received expressions of interest from two big agro-processing companies for procurement of agricultural products directly from the farmers.

"They are for long-term association with the farmers, providing valuable inputs on pre- and post-harvest methods," he said.

The Minister, who is also the Chairman of the State RBH, said two more expressions of interest were received in the bio-diesel sector. "We are talking to other departments to finalise modalities," he said.

Yet another EoI was received for establishing water purification systems and mobile medical systems in rural areas.

PVT-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP

He emphasised the need for private and public sector entrepreneurs to connect with Panchayat Raj institutions either directly or through the Panchayat Raj departments of State governments.

Dr G. Vivekanand, Chairman of CII (Andhra Pradesh) and Managing Director of Visaka Industries Ltd, said agro and rural industries were still untapped areas.

Mr Pradeep Dhobale, Vice-Chairman of CII (AP) and Divisional Chief Executive of ITC Ltd, said the RBH was a unique concept of public-private-panchayat partnership to involve industry to improve and refine locally available resources and produce goods of international quality and standards.

More Stories on : Rural Development | Andhra Pradesh

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