Wealth for the farmers

Tata Chemicals' objective in setting up the TKS network is to empower the Indian farmer and support the farming community in creating more value for their produce.

In India, the agriculture sector constitutes one-fourth of the Indian economy, yet it employs more than two-thirds of the total working population. The healthy performance of the agriculture sector is vital for the well-being of the entire nation.

Though India is a leading producer of many crops, the value addition from agriculture is decreasing. This is partly due to greater income streams from industry and services – the one-third of the population in the non-agricultural sector earns three-fourths of the national income.

Increased urbanisation has led to further pressures – less land under cultivation, increased demand for food, a widening gap between urban and rural incomes, and lack of alternative employment opportunities for farm workers.

The continuous widening of the gap in per capita income between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors has huge economic and social implications, especially when the non-farm sector is incapable of employing the poor from the farm sector. As Tata Chemicals sees it, the imperative for all stakeholders engaged in agri-business is to empower the farmers by enhancing their capability and their sources of income.

The concept and vision of TKS has evolved over the years and is based on identifying critical needs of the farmer. The three most critical needs are access to markets/retail spaces, credit facilities and information/advice.

TKS has been pivotal in providing value-added service to farmers, which has helped improve their quality of living. The network offers multiple benefits that address a wide range of needs that the farmers experience in their constant struggle towards prosperity and progress.