Jammu: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today inaugurated Cluster-Based Business Organization (CBBO) office besides handing over the registration certificates to the Board of Directors of FPOs at Nud block in Samba district.
The event was a step forward towards creating awareness and providing a maximum benefit of the scheme to farmers of the area.
Pertinently, the government of India, with an objective to facilitate sustainable income-oriented farming and ensure overall socio-economic development of agrarian communities in the country, launched the scheme for the formation and promotion of Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs) at the block level.
The programme was attended by Keshav Dutt Sharma, District Development Council Chairman, Samba; Ram Sevak, Director Horticulture Jammu; K K Sharma, Director Agriculture Jammu; Sanjay Verma, Chief Agriculture Officer Samba and Shalesh Sharma, DDM NABARD.
The Board of Directors of both the FPOs and farmers under the FPO scheme also participated in the programme.
In the first phase of implementing the scheme in Samba district, two clusters have been approved, one in Ramgarh block for the formation of FPO with farmers producing basmati rice and another in Nud block with Mushroom growers for forming an FPO. NABARD being an implemented agency has set up CBBO for implementing FPO formation at the block level.
Farooq Khan emphasized the need to work together as a producers group as it would help the farmers to double their income. He asked for focusing on project formulation based on the specific needs of farmers of that particular area. He impressed upon the need to set up Mushroom production units that could produce mushrooms throughout the year as it would also provide them good returns during the offseason.
Advisor appreciated the efforts of NABARD for implementing the scheme in letter and spirit.
Later, Advisor Khan interacted with DDC Chairman and all DDC Councillors of the district who highlighted various issues pertaining to Power, Jal Shakti, Sports, FCS&CA and Social Welfare Department.
Advisor Khan assured them that all the genuine demands and grievances will be taken up with concerned departments for early redressal. He informed the council to plan their district budget in such a way so that their routine and minor developmental issues are resolved at their level.
Meanwhile, Advisor visited the government fruit plant nursery at Vijaypur and inspected the newly introduced Date Palm varieties there. He gave instructions to popularize and promote its cultivation in Samba and adjoining districts as it can be a game-changer for the farmers. He also inspected the protected cultivation structure and the mother blocks of the nursery.
Advisor addressed the gathering of progressive orchardists of the district and suggested them for adopting cultivation of high-value crops.
He also inaugurated High-Density Plantation at Badori and appreciated the Department of Horticulture and the farmers for taking of horticulture as a profession.
DDM NABARD briefed the officials about the progress made on the formation and promotion of both the FPOs in the district with the efforts to provide scheme benefits to all the farmers engaged in these activities, especially small and marginal farmers.
Director Horticulture apprised the Advisor of the ongoing departmental schemes.
