more-in Ten primary processing centres, five each for banana and onion, are coming up in the district under a supply chain management (SCM) programme with assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The initiative seeks to improve marketing linkages for farmers and reduce post harvest losses in handling, processing and storage of vegetables and fruits. The processing centres would have all necessary facilities for handling, processing and storage of banana and onions. The primary processing centres for banana are being established at Lalgudi, Manachanallur, Arasalur, Pidaramangalam and Thiruchendurai and for onion at Manachanallur, P. K. Agaram, Uppilliyappuram (South), Thuraiyur and Thathaiyengarpet. Construction of these centres is underway and is expected to be completed by August. Though cold storages can be established as part of the initiative, onions and the banana variety raised in the identified villages do not require them, officials in the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business told The Hindu. Marketing linkages would be established between farmers and farmers producers companies or big traders, entrepreneurs or exporters to ensure that the farmers got good returns. The SCM programme is being implemented at a total investment of ?398.75 crore in 10 districts. In Tiruchi district, ?28.66 crore has been allotted for the establishment of the 10 primary processing centres. Collector K. Rajamani, accompanied by R. Kailasapathy and other officials, inspected the works and the construction of the storage godown for agriculture produce at the Thathaiyengarpet Regulated Market. The 1000 tonne capacity godown is being constructed at a cost of ?2.35 crore. Farmers can store their produce and also obtain credit by pledging them.

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