Punjab Markfed

MARKFED is a federation of 3069 (2903 PACS and 166 CMS) member cooperative societies, directly representing the interests of over one million farmers.
 
MARKFED'S success is the true reflection of the spirit and dynamism of the people it represents: the people of Punjab.
 
In the September of 1954, what began with 13 members, a share capital of Rs 54,000/-, three employees and one bicycle has today become Asia's Largest Marketing Cooperative, MARKFED.
 
Today, this organization employs more than 2700 persons, has a network of manufacturing units, service centers & offices crisscrossing Punjab and its operations spread around the world.
 
The factors that have made this Rs. 8700 crores giant a magnificient success is its cooperative structure, enlightened management, progressive plans & policies, path-breaking innovations, a highly dedicated workforce and supreme commitment to the objectives of the cooperative Markfed's success is the true reflection of the spirit and dynamism of the people it represents: the people of Punjab.
 

The Punjab State Co-op Supply & Marketing Federation Ltd. known as “Markfed” was registered in 1954. At the time of registration, it began with one bicycle, three employees, thirteen members and a capital of Rs. 54,000/-,has now achieved meteoritic volumes with turn-over of more than Rs. 10,000 crores in 55 years  Its net worth as on 31.03.09 is Rs. 329.00 crores and the number of members has expanded to 3047. The sales turnover and the profit/loss during the last 3 years have been as follows.

Objective : The objectives of Markfed as per bye-laws are as under:

• To make arrangements for procuring, marketing/ trading, processing/ manufacturing of agricultural products as well as by-products of its affiliated members and their members to their best advantage within the country and outside the country.
• To find out and adopt latest technology and supply of goods on co-operative basis and to act as agent to its constituents and other persons and institutions approved by he Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab.
• To raise funds for its own business.
• To provide financial assistance to its members in the shape of advances, loans and grants.
• To make arrangements for procurement in bulk the requirements of its members in respect of both producers and consumers goods.
• To make arrangements for distribution of agricultural inputs in retail to members and non-members.
• To undertake processing, manufacturing, grading and packing activities and establish industrial units.
• To arrange for construction of buildings necessary for business of the Federation and its members and also to take up the construction work of other government/ institutional agencies.
• To guide, assist and supervise the working of its member societies.
• To carry out publicity and propaganda in respect of Cooperative marketing and supply  by publication of suitable literature, arrangement of demonstration by organizing marketing, processing and supply societies conferences, participation in exhibitions and other-wise.
• To collect commercial information particularly relating to conditions in principal markets, general trends of the prices and circulate those amongst its members.
• To run warehouses.
• To undertake interstate trade, import and export of agricultural produce, farm equipments and consumer goods.
• To enter into collaboration with the Co-operative and others in India or in Foreign Countries in fulfillment of any of its objects, subject to the approval of the Government under Section 77 of the Act wherever required.
• To act as an insurance agent and to guide and assist its member societies and other etc. regarding all insurance matters.
• To guarantee the loans advanced or credit granted to any member society of the Federation by the Government, State Bank of India or any other agency within such limits and such terms as may be fixed and charge commission thereon.
• To do all things that may be incidental or conductive to the attainment of any or all the aforesaid objects or for the advancement of the Co-operative movement in general.

Promote sustainable development of Punjab agricultural communities through supply of reliable high quality agricultural inputs and service as well as efficient procurement and marketing of Agri-produce.

To be a globally renowned cooperative federation this optimizes returns to all stakeholders and ensures development of agricultural community though operations across the agriculture value chain.

Markfed undertakes various activities ranging from supply of agri-inputs to the procurement and storage of the grains.  Besides, Markfed has processing units for the production of agro-chemicals-attle-feed, Vanaspati oil and other cooking medium and canned products.

Markfed has set up a State of the Art laboratory of International Standards at Ropar for food grain testing, which is being up-graded to Food Testing Lab by investing Rs 4.50 crores.

• Markfed has set up Multi Utility Cold Storage cum Pack House at Ludhiana at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.35 Crore for fresh fruit & vegetables.
• Markfed has 19 Agro Service Centres.
• Markfed has one mobile soil testing laboratory.
• Markfed has 8 soil testing laboratories at Amritsar, Bhatinda, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Nihal Singh wala, Sangrur and Malout.

MARKFED plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for integrated development & growth in the rural areas of Punjab.

Markfed's cooperative philosophy which involves development based on mutual help, justice & equality, service above profit, democratic set-up and shared prosperity, makes it a true friend of Punjab's farmers.

MARKFED plays a pivotal role as a catalyst for integrated development & growth in the rural areas of Punjab. It helps in stabilizing the market rates of farm produce, ensures supply of quality goods, helps in generating employment and contributes substantially towards earning foreign exchange.

In keeping with the latest and fast evolving trends, markfed has adopted the world's latest techniques like Electronic Data Processing for online processing, analysis and dissemination of information to the people who need it the most.

In spreading this vital information, Markfed has joined hands with Punjab Marketing Board since 1984 to sponsor a farmers Information Programme "Mera Pind Mere Khet" (My Land My Fields) on Television.

Markfed's contribution to Agriculture & Industry has drawn applause from all quarters and has borne fruits in many ways. It has received many National Awards for special achievement in the field of Food Processing and Cooperative Marketing.

Markfed's cooperative philosophy which involves development based on mutual help, justice & equality, service above profit, democratic set-up and shared prosperity, makes it a true friend of Punjab's farmers. Employing this principle of brotherhood-, Markfed has emerged a significant contributor to various socio-economic development programmes.

MARKFED Punjab is Asia's largest marketing co-operative. As a co-operative, it exists both because of and for the farmers of this vibrant state. Their needs have shaped the purpose of MARKFED and also its future.

Our bottom line is our people - the farmers. Value, for us, is the improved quality of life of millions of farmer families of Punjab. They created history by transforming the green fields into golden fields through the green revolution. With our support, we feel, they will also transform India into the world's leading agri-business player. In this endeavour we will support them with our total might and ensure that their future is brighter by way of being a part of our multifarious activities.

Markfed Welcomes Mr. H.R.Nagpal,PCS Mr. H.R.Nagpal, PCS has joined Markfed as Additional Managaing Director (G) on 8th October 2009.

Procurment & Trading Operations 

Markfed, being a State Government procuring agency is engaged in procurement of paddy under support price operation of Govt. of India. The paddy stocks are got milled from the private rice mills allotted by the Director, Food & Supplies, Punjab and the resultant rice is delivered to FCI in central pool.

Markfed procured 24.25 lac MTs paddy during crop 2007-08. Paddy stocks milled and resultant rice delivered to FCI in Markfed account.

Procurement and Distribution of Ferilizer in the state through Cooperative.

Markfed has been entrusted distribution of fertilizers since 1967 by the state Govt. against 'B' Component. The supplies were being made to the farmers at the right time in required quantity and good quality which had ultimately helped in increasing the agricultural production of the state.
 
Markfed distributes fertilizers through more than 3500 PACS covering the demand of the farmers at village level i.e. at their door-step. The private trade on the contrary is mainly operating in the Urban areas and from limited points. In order to ensure regular supply of fertilizers to the Cooperatives in the state, Markfed maintains buffer stocks and incur heavy expenditure on interest, storage etc. so that the fertilizer is available in time to the farmers. The total distribution of fertilizers and agrochemicals were being made to the cooperative through Markfed till 1987.

Markfed takes pride in having its own Canneries, Rice Mills, Ginning & Processing Plants, HDPE Sacks Plant, Oil Plant, Sugar Mill, R & D Labs etc. Through these state-of-art manufacturing facilities Markfed produces world-class products. Markfed Canneries which has obtained certification for ISO 9001 and Global HACCP this year is planning for doubling the production in the year 2003-2004. This certification by world recognized body ensures trust, confidence among overseas buyers who are very concious about inspections, safety and hygine standards followed by the manufacturing unit. Global HACCP would ensure complete documentation of the processes followed by the plant to eliminate all risk factors.
 
The varied nature of Markfed's operations depend a great deal on its infrastructure. Today it takes pride in its own Oil Plants, Sugar Mill, Canneries, Rice Mills, Ginning & Processing Plants. R&D Labs etc. at these state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Markfed produces world-class products which have carved a niche for themselves in several markets.
 
Markfed has set up canneries to produce Heat & Eat Food products (especially curries), recipes of which have been prepared by Mr. Jiggs Kalra, a chief of international repute. The products include delicates like Sarson Ka Saag, Daal Makhni, Kadhi Pakora, Mutter Paneer & much more. Besides this it also produces jams, Ketchups, honey etc. These products are being sold all over India and are exported to many countries around the world. Consultants from Delhi as approved by APEDA (Agriculture Production Export Development Authority) are being engaged for up-gradation and modernization of the system. The upgradation would improve mechanization of cleaning, cutting, chopping and washing operations. The packing and sterlization of retorting processes would also be upgraded to the world level with more emphasis on automation to eliminate any human error. Packing and stocking of the final product would be made in a further improved environment through mechanical handling.
The products for this plants are highly cherished in the over-seas market. Markfed earlier was operating in Middle East and some countries of Europe, USA and Canada. The markets are now fast expanding to areas of Africa, Australia, Newzealand, Fiji and Eastern Europe where Markfed had earlier very low presence.

Cattlefeed Manufacturing

Markfed manufactures cattlefeed at its plant at Gidderbaha & Kapurthala, which have a combined annual production capacity of 63,000 tonnes. The animal feed namufactured here is popular in Punjab, Haryana, HP, J&K, Rajasthan & Delhi and is sold through dealers & cooperative societies.

HDPE Sacks Plant

The HDPE Sacks Plant of Markfed makes bags for cattlefeed, tarpaulins, polythene covers and HDPE bags for clients like IFFCO, KROBHCO & NFL for the packaging of Urea fertilizer.
 
In order to ensure the use of high quality packaging material, Markfed set up a Packaging Test Laboratory at Mohali in 1993.

Soil Testing Laboratories

Markfed's eitht well-equipped Soil Testing Laboratories at Amritsar, Bathinda, Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Malout and a Mobile Lab manned by specialists with an annual capacity to analyze 10,,000 samples of soil & water, have been rendering free service to farmers in obtaining best results from the use of chemical fertilizers since 1969.

 Sugar Mill 

Markfed has set up a new sugar mill at Malout at a total cost of Rs. 300 million. With a production capacity of 1.750 TCD and spread over 50.4 acres of land. It provides direct employment to about 300 persons. Markfed has also tied up with the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, for the development of better varities of sugarcane.
 

Markfed has carved a distinct identity for itself by setting up a number of export-oriented units to process agricultural produce like basmati rice, cotton, oilseeds, vegetable, fruits, etc. Markfed helps farmers by procuring their produce and organizing exports. It has been declared as Punjab's nodal agency for the export of fruits, vegetables and food grains by the Government of India.

A vast range of products from Markfed have found markets in the UAE, UK, US, Canada, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Afganistan etc. Annually, Markfed exported 2.25 million MTs of wheat till 30/09/2003 to UAE, Sudan, Yemen, Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea, Oman, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia through the major food players of the world like Cargil, Toepfer, Allanasons, Noble Grain, Louis Dreyfus & Kotak Agri, Tropical Grains & Feed, Adani Exports etc.
 
Sarson Ka Saag - A delicacy on foreign shores.
 
About 1.5 million cans containing ready-to-eat Sarson-Ka-Saag a Punjabi delicacy & other Indian vegetable curries are exported to many regions which include the USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East and the South Pacific.

In addition to these, Markfed deals in many other ethinic food products.
 
Agri Export Zone for Potatoes
 
Potato is considered as the third major cash crop and plays a pivotal role in crop diversification. India is the fourth largest producer of potatoes in the world. Markfed helps farmers by procuring potatoes and organizing their exports. The Government of India has sanctioned an agri-export zone for potatoes in Punjab. Being set up in collaboration with APEDA, the zone will be established in Patiala with satellite centres in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Batala and Muktsar. The objective of the project is to provide remunerative returns to the farmers and also to help farmers in producing quality which is at par with international market. Markfed has been declared the nodal agency for setting up this AEZ (Agri-Export Zone) to facilitate Potato export from Punjab. The zone entails partnership of farmers, processors, exporters, the State and the Central Government agencies to coordinate for end to end development of potatoes and its processed output from farm to consumers.

The Project will be implemented in two phases costing Rs 10.41 crores and Rs. 102 crores respectively.

Markfed, the nodal agency for the project would coordinate the efforts of various organizations like NHB. NFPI, APEDA, ICAR, MOA, Revenue department and the various State Government agencies like the Department Of Agriculture and Industries and will also act as the main link between Central and State agencies and the stake holders who are farmers, exporters and processors.

Markfed has already started exports of potatoes to Middle East and Canada since July 2002 under the Agri Export Zone for Potatoes. Major customers include Lulu Hyper Market which owns the biggest chain of super markets in Dubai and other Gulf countries.
 
Potato Processing Unit
 
Punjab Markfed has signed an MoU with Canadian Manufacturing Company Ltd. Vancouver, Canada for setting up of a Joint venture to manufacture potato French Fries / Potato Flakes / Granules / Vodka. The Cost of the project is approximately Rs.70 crore.

The Project will be put up in Patiala. The company will provide the technical know-how to process potatoes grown in Punjab and will assist in marketing the product both in domestic and international markets.
 
Potato Cultivation In Sri Lanka
 
In a novel move, Markfed has taken on lease a 1,000 acre farm in Sri Lanka, offered by the Sri Lankan Government, for the cultivation of seed/tableware potatoes. The federation has agreed to undertake this project to spread awareness about Punjab's expertise to shores far and wide,

Markfed is actively involved in the industrialization of Punjab and has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan with a motive of value addition to agriculture produce for export and domestic market.

State of Art Food processing Unit

Proposes to enhance share of Markfed in domestic and overseas market for Ready to Eat, Ready to Cook, Frozen and Bottle-lines products.Proposes unit to be in Public Pricvate Partnership model.
 
Marketing of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables    

Marketing of fresh fruits & vegetables to be undertaken in an organised manner.To help marginal, small and medium farmers to sell their produce at better remunaration. Public private partnership and cash.
 
6TPH State  Of  Art  Basmati Rice  Processing Unit    

Plans to establish Rice Mills with shelling capacityof 6 Ton/ Hr. at Rajpura Aims to integrate back-end net-work of paddy growers. Process thier produce with latest technology and market it in Domestic & Overseas market.
 
Integrated Cold Store cum Pack House
    
Location: Dhandari Kalan.

District: Ludhiana
 
Description: Markfed has undertaken to set up an integrated cold store cum pack house for fruits and vegetables at village Dhandari Kalan, Distt. ludhiana, which includes following facilities 1. Pre-Cooling Unit --1No --3MT 2. Washing, sorting & Grading line for Potato -- 10 MT/per hour 3. Shrink Wrap Unit --1- 2.5MT/Per hour 4. Cold Stores --2Nos X 1000 MTs; 1No CACS Store--100 MT; 5. NosX100MT --400 MT ; Total 2500 MT.