In a major push to strengthen the agricultural economy and empower local farmer collectives, District Administration Kishtwar is mulling to explore funding of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR-1) framework.
Deputy Commissioner (DC), Pankaj Kumar Sharma today convened a meeting with active Farmer Producer Organizations of the district and concerned HODs of the line departments. The session focused on unlocking new funding avenues for FPOs through the Corporate Social Responsibility framework.
Addressing the stakeholders, the DC emphasized the necessity of bridging the funding gap in the farm sector by tapping corporate partnerships and central agricultural schemes. To streamline this process, the DC advised the FPOs to register on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs portal and generate their CSR-1 certificates.
“This critical compliance step will legally authorize the FPOs to receive and execute CSR funds from corporate entities and PSUs operating in the region,” he informed. Further, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the FPOs to prepare and submit Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to secure financial support.
During the session, the allied department heads, including Chief Agriculture Officer Kushal Chandel, assured the FPOs of full technical and administrative handholding. “The departments will assist the farmer collectives in fulfilling these regulatory compliances and drafting viable project proposals that align with the district’s developmental goals,” he assured.
The meeting was attended by ADC, Pawan Kotwal; CHO, Sajid Mustafa; DSHO; LDM; DDM NABARD; besides other officers from concerned departments.