Early Times Report
Leh, Sept 16: Krishi Vigyan Kendra-Leh, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir today held a sensitization programme on 'Farmer Producer organizations' for the extension and filed functionaries of agricultural department.
The programme organized in the office of District Agricultural Officer, Leh was attended by DAO-Leh, Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer, Junior Agricultural Extension officers and other field functionaries of the agricultural Department. Dr. Parveen Kumar, SMS (Agricultural Extension) made a detailed presentation on the concept of FPOs, their formation, the need for FPOs, their role in raising capital and providing different services to the farming community.
Addressing the extension functionaries, Dr. Kumar elaborated that FPOs are cooperative bodies based on 'One for All and All for One' approach that have the potential to mitigate the sufferings of eighty five percent of marginal and small farmers. He called upon the extension functionaries to mobilize the farming community through formation of different commodity based Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) with 10-15 members each at the village Level.
These FIGs are than to be federated at the block and then finally at the district level with their own democratically elected body to run the affairs of the FPO. The FPOs so formed are eligible for financial assistance from different financial institutions to cater to the different input, mechanization and other needs of the group. The Budget 2019-20 of the Government of India also intends to setup 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations throughout the country.
The programme was attended by about 35 extension functionaries of the department. District Agriculture Officer, Leh presented vote of thanks and was highly appreciable of KVK-Leh for providing such valuable information. |
