The Kunnukara service cooperative Bank comes under the Kalamassery legislative assembly constituency, and falls under the ‘Krishikoppam Kalamassery’ program. The Kunnukara service cooperative bank Ltd no. 827 is proposing a collection, primary processing, and value addition of banana and tapioca/ cassava produce from the farmers to marketable and commercially viable products.
The technology being used is a healthy vacuum processing of banana and tapioca, this vacuum production model will be a healthy alternative for consumers as well, when taken the usage of oil is limited in the processing. This project can directly help the farmers realise a better and more stable price for their produce year round. Ensuring a better, more comprehensive agricultural development in the region of Kunnukara.
The ChipCoop Project
The Kunnukara service co-operative bank plays an active part in the development of agriculture in the Kunnukara panchayat. The proposed project is aimed at ensuring farmers of banana, and tapioca, who are most affected by price fluctuations of the market, a reliable income stream through continuous sourcing for the project. Farmers within and beyond Kunnukara panchayat will benefit from the implementation, and further growth of the product.
Along with the sourcing of banana and tapioca, the project can help with the utilisation of high quality oils, spices and other locally produced food products that can enrich and support the SHG units, Kudumbashree units etc.
The project aims to build a sustainable and holistic intervention model that utilises collaboration and convergence of the technological aspects to bring about quality value addition production models in banana and tapioca, that positively impacts the farmers and the larger community. An alternative to fried foods is an imperative in today’s fast changing preferences of the consumer. While people want healthy foods, they are also demanding uncompromised taste as part of it. The process of vacuum frying ensures just that.
It has been noted by policymakers, agricultural experts, and farmers that enhanced value chain services will greatly help support the Indian agricultural sector.. Through this project Kunnukara SCB aims in building such a system of services for the farmers in Kerala, where this model can be replicated with ease.
The technology of vacuum processing of food is a leading technology, which is highly suitable for the farm of banana and tapioca. This project can bring great scope for further research and development in the sustainable agricultural practices of the farmers, increase trust of the farmers in the system, boost the cooperative movement by generating confidence among the members and general public.
