SKUAST, Jammu
A five days “Capacity Building Programme for Chief Executive Officers and
Chairman/Board of Directors of Farmers Producer Organizations (FPO’s)across J&K”
commenceson 07-07-2025 at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &
Technology of Jammu. The programme is jointly organized by SKUAST, Jammu and
Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu in collaboration with
MANAGE-Hyderabad in the Division of Agricultural Extension Education, Faculty of
Agriculture,Chatha from 07-11, July 2025. The capacity building programme has been
organized under HADP-20 project entitled “Innovative Extension Approaches for
Revitalizing Agriculture in Jammu & Kashmir”. Sh. Sandeep Kumar, IFS, Mission Director,
Holistic Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP),was chief guest during the
inaugural function and Sh. A. S. Reen, Director Agriculture, Jammu and Dr. S.K. Gupta,
Director Research, SKUAST, Jammu were guest of honour.
While addressing the participants, Sh. Sandeep Kumar, IFS, Mission Director
emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing and capacity building among FPO leaders.
He encouraged all CEOs and BODs to not only learn from the training but to also disseminate
the knowledge among fellow members, thereby building self-sustainable FPOs.
He also highlighted several government schemes beneficial for FPO development,
including the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP),
which aims to support the growth of FPOs and enhance farmers' access to markets. Stressing
the need to increase farmers’ bargaining power, he urged small and marginal farmers to
work collectively, which would lead to improved income and long-term success of FPOs.
Dr. Arvinder Singh Reen, Director of Agriculture, Jammu, also addressed the
gathering and underlined the pivotal role of FPOs in transforming the agricultural landscape.
He advised all participants to engage seriously and sincerely in the training programme so
they could make informed decisions on behalf of the farmers and lead their FPOs towards
growth and prosperity.
Adding to the deliberations, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, enlightened
participants about the core objective behind the formation of FPOs and shared insights into
their growing importance in the future agricultural economy. He appealed to all scientists and
researchers of the university to extend maximum field-level support to farmers—whether
through technical guidance, input assistance, or any other form—to ensure the holistic
development of FPOs across the region.
Prof. Vinod Gupta, Professor & Head Division of Agricultural Extension Education
and PI of the project formally welcome all the dignitaries and participants at the five days
capacity building programme and highlighted the importance of this training programme with
reforms to farming community. He also stated that capacity building of CEO’s and BOD’s
will definitely help the FPO members to focus on their business activities. He addressed the
challenges faced by the FPO’s and explained how CEO’s and Board of Directors (BOD’s)
can overcome these challenges.
During the training programme, Sh. Sushant Kulkarni, Company Secretary and
experienced faculty and resource persons from MANAGE, Hyderabad will provide training
to the participants. The training programme was attended by 35 CEO’s and BOD’s of FPO’s
across J&K.
The inaugural function was attended by Dr. Mahital Jamwal, Associate Director
Research, SKUAST, Jammu, Prof. P. S. Slathia, Prof. Rakesh Sharma, Prof. L. K. Sharma,
Prof. PoonamParihar, Prof. J. S. Manhas, staff members and project staff. At the end vote of
thanks was extended by Prof. J. S. Manhas.
Sd/-
Professor & Head
Division of Agricultural Extension Education
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