Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 25:
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) organised one-day workshop-cum-sensitization programme in several districts of Jammu Division to create awareness and capacity building amongst progressive farmers.
Besides progressive farmers, the workshop was also attended by Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO) and Farmers’ Club promoted by NABARD in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of Jammu division.
Deputy General Manager, NABARD Jammu, Ms Anamika was the chief guest on the occasion, while as AGM, NABARD, Priya Ranjan and District Development Managers of Kathua and Samba participated in the workshop.
Around 70 farmer members of Farmers’ Club and FPOs namely Organic Ekta Mushroom Growers, Nandpur Milk Producers Co. Ltd Samba and KYASC Kathua also attended the workshop.
Speaking on the occasion, DGM NABARD said that collectivization of produce of small and marginal farmers helps in reduction of challenges faced by the farmers 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.
She said that the farmers were encouraged to scale up their efforts in terms of grading and packaging of their produce as it will enable them to get better returns for their produce and augmenting their incomes.
She also informed about the newly launched scheme of the Government of India on formation of FPOs where each block will be covered for formation of 2 FPOs 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 Kurta.
On the occasion, DDM Samba and DDM Kathua gave an insight to the farmers about the importance and benefits of formation of FPOs.
The representatives of FPOs viz Nandpur Milk Producers Co. Ltd, Ekta Mushroom Growers from Samba highlighted upon the support and nurturing given by NABARD on FPO formation throughout from the initial constraints to attaining the stage of building a brand.
