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Prof. (Dr.) Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension and Dean, Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. More than 185 prospective members and farmers participated in the programme, which aimed at creating awareness about the importance of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), encouraging farmers to join the collective and strengthening farmer-led institutions for sustainable agricultural development.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth emphasised the need for sustained handholding, capacity building and institutional strengthening of rural collectives to enable FPOs to emerge as effective farmer-led enterprises. She said FPOs can play a transformative role in agriculture by enabling farmers to access modern technologies, quality inputs, institutional credit, value addition and organised markets through collective action.
She urged farmers to actively participate in FPOs and make full use of the opportunities being created under the IFAD-supported JKCIP to enhance farm incomes and build resilient and sustainable farming enterprises. She also highlighted the crucial role of SKUAST-Kashmir in providing continuous technical guidance, capacity building and extension support to strengthen farmer institutions across the Union Territory.
Dr. Waseem Hassan Raja underscored the importance of scientific farming, capacity building and collective marketing in improving the economic status of farmers. He encouraged the participants, particularly women and rural youth, to actively engage with the FPO and adopt improved agricultural technologies for enhancing productivity and profitability.
Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, Upscaling Collectivisation, JKCIP, SKUAST-Kashmir, elaborated on the objectives of the component and the institutional support mechanisms being extended to FPOs under the project. He stressed that increased farmer membership and active participation are essential for developing strong and self-sustaining producer organisations capable of addressing production, value addition and marketing challenges.
Dr. Bhat also highlighted the support being provided by SKUAST-Kashmir in handholding farmer collectives, including capacity building, value addition, branding of FPO products and market intelligence, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of rural enterprises.
The programme concluded with an interactive session in which farmers raised queries regarding FPO membership, governance, business planning and the benefits of collectivisation. The experts responded to their queries and encouraged eligible farmers to join the FPO and actively contribute to its growth and sustainability.
The management of The Harvesting Harmony Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Ltd., reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening farmer collectives and promoting inclusive agricultural development under the IFAD-sponsored JKCIP.
The programme was attended by Dr. Waseem Hassan Raja, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Baramulla; Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, Upscaling Collectivisation, JKCIP, SKUAST-Kashmir; Dr. Shoaib Kirmani, Scientist, KVK Baramulla; Abdul Hamid, SDAO Pattan; Dr. Waheed Ahmad Ganai, FPO Development Officer (FoDO), Baramulla; FPO Development Officers from various districts of Kashmir; and the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Accountant and members of The Harvesting Harmony Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Ltd.
