Dharani
The Dharani initiative of the Timbaktu Collective works with 2,662 smallholder farmers from 79 villages across 10 mandals of Sri Sathya Sai and Ananthapuramu districts. It promotes sustainable and climate-resilient organic farming and works for better returns to smallholder farmers by gaining increased control over the agricultural value chain. These farmers cultivate a wide diversity of food crops such as millets, pulses, groundnuts, and vegetables, supported by the Collective’s field team through sangha (farmer group) meetings, farmer trainings, and farmer field schools. The team also ensures implementation of a robust Package of Practices (PoP) in line with organic principles, supports farmers in documenting their practices, and facilitates certification under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) with PGS India and the Participatory Guarantee Organic Council (PGSOC). More recently, the initiative has begun piloting an organic vegetable enterprise, engaging women farmers and local youth, alongside the development of a dedicated PoP for vegetables.
Under this initiative, the Collective, together with its promoted Adisakthi Women’s Cooperative, established Adisakthi Dharani in 2006 as a member-owned business enterprise of smallholder farmers. In 2008, it was formally registered as Dharani Farming and Marketing Mutually Aided Cooperative Ltd. (Dharani FaM Coop Ltd.) under the Andhra Pradesh Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act, 1995 (AP MACS Act, 1995). Dharani undertakes the procurement, processing, value addition, and marketing of organic crops under the well-recognized “Timbaktu Organic” brand. With democratic governance through an elected Board of Directors, Dharani ensures fair and transparent systems: procurement prices are fixed before sowing, farmers receive premium procurement rates (about 52–55% of MRP), and profits are redistributed as patronage bonuses based on members’ contributions. Dharani also generates 20,000+ labour days annually, particularly for women in processing, grading, and value addition, and has built a strong financial base with member deposits worth over ₹2 crore. Over the last 17 years, Dharani has emerged as a pioneer in Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) for organic certification, a member of IFOAM International, and part of the global organic movement. Its products are marketed across South India, supported by two retail outlets, including the CK Palli Highway shop, which received the ‘Retail Ratna Award’ (Emerging Retailers Category).
