SKUAST-Jammu as Cluster based Business Organization (CBBO) has initiated a massive drive for mobilizing the farmers for promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs) in Kathua district.
NABARD Jammu has allotted two FPOs to SKUAST-Jammu in Kathua district. One FPO is related to Honey in Marheen block named “Shiwalik Hills Honey Farmers Production Coop. Ltd.” and the other one is in Hiranagar block for seed production named “Agventure Farmers Seed Production Coop. Ltd.”.
Prof. J P Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor has motivated the farmers to join hands for undertaking collaborative efforts to increase profitability. The drive has been initiated under the supervision of Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension.
The mobilization drives are organised in villages Sanyal, Haripur and Rajbagh wherein more than 200 farmers and farm women are being motivated to join the new initiative of Govt. of India in the form of FPOs.
Sh. Ram Lal Kalia, BDC Chairman congratulated university and farmers for having collaboration with agencies like NABARD to promote farmers economy by forming FPOs. He urged farmers to unite and collaborate with government agencies for larger benefits of farming community.
Sh. Amit Sharma, District Development Manager, NABARD Kathua presented the plan of formation of FPOs. He informed about the financial provisions available under FPO scheme launched by Govt. of India through NABARD.
Dr. Berjesh Ajrawat, Scientist (Agricultural Extension) discussed about the benefits associated with formation of FPOs. He advised farmers to join FPO for enhancing economic benefits from farming. He detailed about hand holding by KVK Kathua under FPO scheme. He elaborated the process of seed certification and marketing under the scheme.
The professionals recruited under the project Abhishek Kanagat, Pooja Sharma, Divya Khajuria, Dharambeer and Harneet Kour delivered expert lectures during the programmes. Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma and Dr. Anil Bhat coordinated the activities under mobilization drive.
