From Uncertainty to Stability: How Apna Godam Transforms Lives of Agricultural Workers

Blue-collar workers often face poor treatment in many industries. Unlike white-collar workers, they often lack access to essential benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, and other supports that can make their demanding jobs easier. Many blue-collar workers have to work every day and often don't get any days off, which increases their job insecurity as they have no safety net to rely on.

The situation is similar in the agriculture sector. Although employment opportunities in agriculture are plentiful, most jobs are seasonal and do not provide basic amenities. Employees in this sector often work for only six months a year. This seasonal work can make it difficult for them to support themselves and their families.

Let’s understand the cycle of seasonal unemployment in Grain Commerce

Many Agtech companies hire seasonal workers to assist with agricultural tasks. For example, in the case of WHR Finance, banks appoint collateral managers to manage their collaterals (agricultural commodities in this case). These Collateral Management companies appoint staff to manage commodities that are pledged.

These loans usually last from a few months to a year, depending on the bank’s policies and the type of crop involved. The timing of these loans aligns with crop cycles, which results in unstable employment for many workers. They are frequently hired temporarily until the farmer repays the loan.

Many of these employees lose their jobs once the stock is sold, which can occur within three to six months. This pattern leads to seasonal unemployment for workers, as their job availability is directly linked to seasonal demand.

Unfortunately, these temporary workers often do not receive any benefits from their employers. This situation creates a sense of job insecurity for seasonal workers, as the companies that hire them often overlook their well-being. These corporations often consider investing in the health and stability of employees as unreasonable, as they typically consider the fact that these workers are only on the job for a limited time each year. As a result, companies focus more on their immediate needs and less on creating a supportive environment for these employees. This lack of support creates a sense of instability and uncertainty among workers, who are left without benefits or resources. Ultimately, this situation undermines worker morale and well-being.

Apna Godam, an agri-tech startup, recognized this issue and has taken steps to improve conditions for their workers. The company understands the challenges faced by seasonal employees and is committed to addressing their needs. By offering better support and resources, Apna Godam aims to provide a more stable work environment for those who contribute to the agricultural sector. This approach not only benefits the workers but also helps create a more sustainable business model that values the contributions of its employees.

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Apna Godam's Efforts to Eliminate Discrimination among Workers

Apna Godam is an agritech startup that offers innovative storage solutions to improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses through a nationwide warehousing network. It also offers loans to farmers at low interest rates based on warehouse receipts through its NBFC, ensuring quick loan processing for easy access to funds for stored goods. In addition, Apna Godam has an online trading platform for various agricultural products, allowing farmers, traders, processors, exporters, and importers to buy and sell in a transparent manner.

The startup recognized the challenges faced by its employees and improved its business strategy. Instead of constantly hiring and firing employees based on seasonal needs, they added a few more services other than storing commodities.

For example, in the groundnut supply chain, they do sorting and grading of in-shell groundnut produce and then sell it to street vendors all across the country.

Another example where Apna Godam launched a logistics vertical in which they pick up commodities from the farm and drop commodities from the warehouses to factories as per the requirements of the customer. This vertical not only gave them an additional opportunity to make some money but also utilized the work force during the lean time. Not only this; the customer’s major pain point is solved as we managed the logistics.

“If you are not committed to the employee, the employee will also not be committed to the company,” said Mr. Agarwal. There should be a sense of commitment.

They demonstrated a commitment towards the well-being of their warehouse and field staff and provided them with benefits that are typically offered to white-collar employees. This not only ensured job security for their employees but also supported their livelihoods through essential amenities and services.

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The company has implemented policies that offer family medical coverage of up to Rs 3 lakh, which ensures that employees do not have to worry about finances during medical emergencies. They also introduced leave policies that allow all employees (even if their salary is as low as Rs 15000 pm) to take time off as needed. These measures make life easier for employees who work hard and deserve basic support. Overall, this initiative improves the lives of both blue-collar and white-collar employees by providing features that truly benefit all types of jobs, creating a secure safety net for everyone.

How Employee Well-Being Policies Made a Difference in Tough Times

Recently, two field workers of Apna Godam benefited from the company's medical coverage of up to Rs 3 lakh. One of the employees faced a difficult situation when his daughter fell ill and needed treatment. At this critical time, the medical claim proved to be a lifesaver, covering all the hospital expenses as well as care and additional medical bills. This assistance not only eased the financial burden on the family but also highlighted Apna Godam's commitment to providing essential benefits to its employees, ensuring they get the necessary support in times of crisis.

Similarly, another worker faced a challenging situation when his mother fell ill and required medical attention. Fortunately, thanks to the medical coverage provided by Apna Godam, all hospital bills were taken care of, which eased his financial worries during this tough time. Additionally, he was granted leave to be with his mother to provide the care she needed.

This support not only helped them handle the situation more effectively but also showed employers the importance of paying attention to the well-being of their employees. It highlights the need for companies to provide employees with the necessary resources and time to deal with personal emergencies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, employers should provide certain policies for several reasons, as it promotes employee well-being, increases job satisfaction, boosts productivity, and helps attract and retain top talent for the company's growth. These policies promote a positive work environment where employees feel valued. By implementing these measures, companies not only support their employees during challenging times but also create a more engaged and efficient workforce. Apna Godam exemplifies this thoughtful approach by prioritizing the well-being of its employees and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed both personally and professionally.