The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Shakeel-ul Rehman today inaugurated the office of Apple Farmer Produce Organisation (FPO) at Aloosa, Bandipora.The FPO has been sanctioned under Central Sector Scheme for the formation of 10,000 FPOs and is implemented and funded by NABARD.
The Apple FPO at Aaloosa has 110 members and is involved in the business of apple production and marketing. The FPO is instrumental in providing better market linkage to apple growers in the region and supply of valuable inputs like fertilisers and pesticides.
The DC congratulated the FPO members for this endeavor and said that the cooperative and collaborative approach in the farming sector can lead to milestones.While interacting with the management of the FPO, the DC stressed upon them to increase the number of shareholders in the FPO so that the maximum number of people can benefit.
He further advised the FPO to diversify their business activities in other agriculture crops as well and keep close laison with other allied departments like Agriculture and Animal Husbandry.The event was attended by Chief Horticulture Officer, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, DDM NABARD Bandipora, SMS Agriculture and participants from CBBO, IGSSS and local farmers.