Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal, on Saturday chaired a meeting of the District Level Monitoring Committee to evaluate the progress achieved under the central sector scheme for the establishment and promotion of Farmers' Produce Organisations (FPOs) in the district.
The session witnessed a comprehensive review of the functioning of FPOs with the Deputy Commissioner issuing crucial directions for providing them continued support and guidance.With the aim of bolstering the prosperity of the farming community, the Deputy Commissioner placed paramount importance on ensuring the seamless operation of FPOs in the district.
Recognising their pivotal role in enhancing the socio-economic fabric of our district and improving the conditions of farmers, he urged all CBBOs present in the meeting to maintain a consistent presence on the ground and provide indispensable guidance to the FPOs.
He reiterated that their presence at ground level will undoubtedly strengthen the FPOs' ability to effectively serve the interests of our hardworking farmers.To ensure the sustained growth and progress of FPOs, the Deputy Commissioner directed the District Development Manager of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to periodically review their functioning.
"This collaborative approach between the district administration and NABARD will not only monitor the performance of FPOs but also provide timely support and interventions as required," he added.The DC also highlighted the transformative potential of FPOs in empowering farmers, streamlining their operations, and facilitating access to markets.
Highlighting the crucial objective of market linkage and securing better prices for farmers' produce as the primary aim of Farmers' Produce Organisations (FPOs) in the district and directing the CBBOs to work on this matter also.
During the meeting of the District Level Monitoring Committee, the DC emphasised the significance of establishing strong connections between FPOs and markets to ensure the economic viability and growth of our farming community.
Recognising the challenges faced by farmers in accessing profitable markets, the Deputy Commissioner Vikas Kundal underscored the pivotal role of FPOs in bridging this gap.By providing a collective platform for farmers to aggregate their produce, the FPOs empower them to negotiate better prices, establish direct marketing channels and access value-added opportunities.
The meeting was attended by chief planning officer Mohammad Khurshid, Chief Agriculture Officer Sohan Singh, scientist KVK, Arvind Isher, LDM JK Bank, Sanjeev Bhasin, DDM NABARD, Chander Sharma, Vikrant Vikrant Dogra from JKDUCL, Sunil Choudhary from ROM Nowshera Mazie and Agro Products Nowsher, and members of other FPOs.