No. PR- 308 November 2, 2020 New Delhi
Workshop/interactive meeting on formation / promotion of FPOs held in Association with PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter
FPO is the only everlasting solution which is designed for economic prosperity of the farmers by way of transforming agriculture into a remunerative venture, Director Agriculture Kashmir
Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department Kashmir in collaboration with PHD-CCI organized an interactive meeting/workshop on formation/ promotion of farmer producer organizations (FPO’s) in agriculture and other allied sector at Directorate of Agriculture Kashmir chaired by Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi.
The meeting was attended by Registrar of Companies J&K Ladakh, Syed Haamid Bukhari, Expert Chair PHD CCI Kashmir, Showkat Chowdhary, State Expert Agri Business (PHD-CCI) Bilal Ahmad Kawoosa, Representative of NABARD Dr. Asif Ahmad Bhat, Project Coordinator Mushrooms Farooq Ahmad Shah, all Chief Agriculture Officers of Kashmir Division and representatives of selected FPO’s.
Director Agriculture Kashmir presented a detailed power point presentation regarding agricultural activities and formation of FPOs for increasing the income of low and marginal farmers. Director said that the rural sector will be transformed by constitution of Farm Produce Organizations which will strengthen the rural economy. He said these groups will not only help in agriculture progress, but also create new avenues for the development of farm sector. He emphasized that formation of FPOs will help in doubling the farmers income by 2022.
Andrabi said in order to give required impetus to increase farmers’ income, formation of Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) is the only everlasting solution which is designed for economic prosperity of the farmers by way of transforming agriculture into a remunerative venture and farmers into agri-entrepreneurs.
Director reiterated that the present policies of government including formation of FPOs are best suited to UT of J&K as the region is endowed with speciality/ niche crops viz. muskbudji (scented rice), red rice (zagg), sweet corn and baby corn in maize, saffron with G.I. certification, Rajmash, Basmati rice, Organic honey, Apple, Cherry, Walnut, Almond etc. with export potential and has great demand and relevance in national and international markets.
Registrar of Companies J&K Ladakh Haamid Bukhari emphasized on the team approach to comprehensively help the farmers to transform themselves into agro entrepreneurs.
Expert Chair PHDCCI Kashmir Showkat Chowdhary assured that market linkage of the agri produce will be provided to the FPOs for earning better remunerative prices and PHD chamber will play a vital role for formation of FPO’ s in J&K with the help of NABARD, SFAC, and Agriculture Department.
On the occasion experts from PHD and NABARD gave lectures on different topics for promotion and working of FPOs. Representatives of FPOs thanked the organizers for organizing such workshops, as these workshops acquaint them with the latest trends and requested the organizers to organize such programs in future also.
Ends Media Division PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry