Setting up a BRC
Details of the physical infrastructure and equipment list required to set up a Bio-input Resource Centre (BRC). (Technical manual final V4).
Last updated
Details of the physical infrastructure and equipment list required to set up a Bio-input Resource Centre (BRC). (Technical manual final V4).
Last updated
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What need/ pain point is this playbook addressing?
“Adopting natural farming practices and sustaining them poses many challenges for the farmers, of which access to farm inputs” is one. The reasons for this challenge can be:
“Lack of exposure and knowledge of different bio-formulations and bio-inputs
Unavailability of raw materials
Lack of knowledge on handling, usage and storage of inputs
Limited hand holding support
Extra efforts required in procurement of the raw materials and their subsequent preparation
Maintaining quality of the prepared bio-inputs”
Theory of change: “Bio-Resource Input Centers’ (BRCs) are one of the possible input support systems that could help in resolving this issue of accessibility to natural farm inputs. Its promotion, as a single stop shop for all bio input needs, will not only help farmers to learn but also adopt these technologies in their farm to sustain their livelihood and to make it professionally viable and profitable.”
Who can use the playbook?
A CSO (Possible roles mentioned on page 5), BRC entrepreneurs (can be an individual/ family/ self-help group (SHG)) (Roles mentioned on page 5) “It is expected that the CSOs will open up new BRCs or upgrade existing BRCs that will leverage the experience of the existing BRCs.”
What are the benefits to stakeholders?
For BRC entrepreneurs: Livelihood and income
For farmers: Availability of inputs to convert to/ sustain agroecology based farming/ Natural farming practices
For CSO: Environmental + social good, successful implementation and possibility of long-term sustainability of their intervention
For the government: On ground taking up of the Natural Farming Policy
For Consumers: Chemically synthesised inputs that do not degrade become they reach the consumers, some of which have negative health effects, will not be consumed.
Who created this playbook?
Contributor:
Publication supported by : ATE Chandra Foundation, AgroEcology Fund, India Climate Collaborative, Caring Friends, Children's Investment Fund Foundation and Duleep Matthai Foundation
Where and when has this been tried successfully?
“Right now it (the manual) has been passed onto all partners who have their farmers network, have set up BRC units and are initiating more in the days.” - NCNF Comms
What steps does this solution take?
Step 1
Select BRC entrepreneurs (prerequisites for potential BRC entrepreneurs on page 3)
Selection of Panchayat / Target villages (Criteria for selection of Gram Panchayat on page 7)
Step 2
Capacity Building of entrepreneurs on BRC
“To cover technical guidance on inputs and farm practices as well as business model preparations”
Step 3
Selection of products to be sold (whose demand is high or anticipated to be high)
Finalise the prices of the products
“40% - 50% margin is suggested”
Identifying reliable sources for mother culture of microbial inoculums - *needs service directory*
“like Verticillium, Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, PSB, KSB”
Step 4
Establish an investment plan (Capital Costs, Operational credit, Marketing costs, Buyback costs)
Basic information on and difference in Low investment low income model (LIM) and High investment high income model HIM shared on page 8 & 9)
“Elaborate models OF both HIM and LIM can be shared upon request” by NCNF
“A small investment must come from the BRC entrepreneur.”
Create business model for each BRC
“Soft copy of Sample Business model can be shared upon request” by NCNF
Step 2
Exposure visit to other BRCs
Step 5
Setup BRC shed (separate shed for production and storage) [+ other physical infrastructure - detailed list on Page 15]
“One time expense, sometimes the shed is available with the entrepreneurs”
Purchase of equipments (Detailed Equipment List on Page 14)
“One time expense, approximate cost would be INR 60,000/-”
Step 6
Monitor quarterly accounts and performance evaluation
“Soft copy of template to capture accounts can be shared upon request” by NCNF
Step 7
Create a marketing model
“Can it (marketing) be through wall paintings or banners across villages? Or shall there be a one time activity of running a Public announcement system across the villages? Can regular messaging from entrepreneurs to potential customers help? Etc.”
Create a sales model
“Can the local FPOs, CRPs become sales agents?”
Conduct marketing exercise across the target villages
Promotion of BRC products in all the target villages
Identify stakeholders and their roles
Can the local FPO, Panchayat, SHGs and other village level institutions support?
Buyback agreement with entrepreneurs for unsold products at cost to cost basis - by?
“For the first 6 to 9 months till the monthly demand pattern is established.”
Step 8 - support
Q&A session with resource agency (/persons) every month (for support) - by?
Yearly quality tests of inputs
“(This) will help in maintaining standards and may increase trust factor on the products being sold.”
Refresher training by sharing digital content with BRC entrepreneurs
7.What caveats/disclaimers do we need to keep in mind?
A “shed for production, storage and sales of bio-inputs” which if not owned by the BRC entrepreneur or provided by the Gram Panchayat “at extremely nominal rates” could make the “capital expenses significantly higher”.
Do you have any other remarks / suggestions?
Region-wise service directory needed for non-botanicals. (Currently not included in the Manual) “ICAR and NCONF have director(ies) on their website. On ground uptake for microbial inputs is very limited, hence the need for cultures doesn't emerge much. Most are using botanical and animal based inputs.” - NCNF Comms
Please add links to .pdfs or videos you may have.
Videos for preparation of botanicals added on each slide of the botanical section (video language not mentioned).
What prerequisites does implementing this playbook need?
The potential BRC entrepreneurs need
“3 to 5 years of Natural Farming experience
Basic education to maintain data records and capture farmer feedback
To be financially sound enough to share the costs of setting up the BRC
To have access to cattle by products (either own or through village dairy)”
What is it applicable for?:
Categories tags: Based on bioregion, language. scale, impact/benefit, bioresource, sector
#BRC #BioInputs #BioResourceCentres #BioInputResourceCentres #OrganicInputs #OrganicFarming #NaturalFarming #BioFertilizers #Biopesticides #Jeevamrut #Jeevamrutham #Panchagavya #Neemastra #Kashaya #Kashayam #Neem
What internal and external resources (human and financial) were needed to make this happen?
~Rs. 70000 for purchase of equipments (one-time investment) Assumption: “The equipment purchased would be depreciating assets with a life of 1 to 4 years” for LIM and 1 to 10 years for HIM.
Mother cultures for non-botanicals
Are there companies that provide services available?
In case org is willing to share more, start operations in partnership, has training, or answer qns.
Yes, NCNF
Pradan (assumed)
Green Foundation (assumed)
Published by: National Coalition for Natural Farming (C/O WASSAN). You can find the original .
Link(s) to related playbook