JAMMU: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) today organised one-day workshop cum sensitization programme to create awareness and capacity building of progressive farmers and farmer members of FPOs, Farmers’ Club promoted by the bank in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
Deputy General Manager, NABARD, Jammu, Anamika was the chief guest on the occasion.
Priya Ranjan, AGM, NABARD and District Development Managers of Kathua and Samba participated in the workshop.
Around 70 members of Farmers’ club and FPOs namely Organic Ekta Mushroom Growers, Nandpur Milk Producers Co. Ltd, Samba and KYASC, Kathua attended the workshop.
DGM, NABARD, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the thrust given by NABARD over the years on formation of FPOs. She shared that collectivization of produce of small and marginal farmers’ helps in reduction of challenges faced by them both at production and post-production stages like good quality inputs at reasonable rates, availability of institutional credit, use of latest technology, value addition, processing and most importantly access to market.
The Farmers were encouraged to scale up their efforts in terms of grading and packaging of their produces ‘as it will enable them to get better returns for the produce and augment their income.’ She also informed about the newly launched scheme of the Government of India on formation of FPOs under which 2 FPOs will be formulated in the field of agriculture and agri-produce products over a period of 5 years.
A valediction programme was also conducted on Livelihood Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP), promoted by NABARD to develop skills among SHG members for manufacturing ladies’ Kurtas.
The DGM motivated the women to avail maximum benefits of the skill program and advised them to manufacture quality products to compete in the market.
DDM Samba and DDM Kathua gave an insight to the farmers about the importance and benefits of formation of FPOs and the support being provided by NABARD on conceptualization of forming an FPO, its registration, capacity building, handholding and taking it towards a profitable business entity for the farmer members.
The DDM Kathua also focused on the significance of value chain and business development of FPOs.
Priya Ranjan, AGM, NABARD explained about the salient features of the newly launched scheme by Government of India on formation of FPOs covering each and every block in the country.
