Handwara, Nov 14: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening farmer collectivisation and promoting agricultural entrepreneurship in north Kashmir, a mobilisation drive for two newly registered Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) was organised at Town Hall Handwara on Saturday, with financial assistance of ₹2 lakh distributed among the organisations.
The programme was organised by the Directorate of Research in collaboration with the Directorate of Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kupwara under the Upscaling Collectivisation sub-component of the Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), sponsored by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The two newly registered organisations include The Sara Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Limited, Magam, Handwara, and The Lolab Agro Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Limited, Chandigam, Lolab, Sogam, Kupwara.
Director Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Additional Deputy Commissioner Handwara, Javeed Naseem Masoodi (JKAS), was the Guest of Honour.
On the occasion, mobilisation support cheques amounting to ₹1 lakh each were handed over to the two FPOs, taking the total assistance to ₹2 lakh. The financial support is intended to facilitate farmer mobilisation, strengthen the institutional capacity of the organisations and enable members to undertake collective agricultural and allied activities.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth underscored the importance of farmer collectivisation in strengthening Jammu and Kashmir's agricultural economy. She highlighted that FPOs can play a vital role in improving farmers' access to quality agricultural inputs, establishing market linkages, enhancing bargaining power and promoting value addition and entrepreneurship.
She urged the members of both organisations to work collectively with a professional approach and make optimum use of the institutional and financial support available under JKCIP.
Guest of Honour Javeed Naseem Masoodi appreciated the initiative and stressed the need for effective coordination between FPOs, government departments and agricultural institutions. He encouraged farmers to participate actively in collective enterprises and avail themselves of the benefits of various government schemes.
Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator and Implementing Scientist, Upscaling Collectivisation, JKCIP, SKUAST-K, explained the objectives and implementation framework of the initiative. He emphasised that FPOs provide an important platform for transforming individual farming activities into organised, market-oriented and economically viable enterprises.
He also stressed the importance of active participation of members, transparent management, proper business planning and coordination with various line departments for the long-term sustainability of the organisations.
Officers from different line departments highlighted opportunities available in horticulture, fisheries, sericulture and other allied sectors, assuring the newly established FPOs of necessary technical guidance and institutional support.
Among the prominent officers and experts present were District Horticulture Officer Iftikhar, Fisheries Development Officer Handwara Nazar Abbas, Deputy Director Sericulture Khursheed Ahmad, District Industries and Commerce Officer Kupwara Isfaq Afzal, Chief Horticulture Officer Kupwara Sandeep Kumar, Dr. Susheel Kumar, Professor of Entomology, Directorate of Extension, Dr. Firdous Raina, Scientist KVK Kupwara, and Dr. Shahid Hakeem, Professor of Soil Science, KVK Kupwara.
The programme was also attended by JKCIP FPO Development Officers Dr. Sheikh Amjid (Kupwara), Dr. Irfan Gani (Budgam), Raqib Rasool (Bandipora) and Waheed Ahmad Ganie (Baramulla).
Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, who is also Chairperson of Upscaling Collectivisation, JKCIP, congratulated the newly registered FPOs and acknowledged the continued support and guidance of SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganie.
She also expressed gratitude to IFAD and the Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, for their valuable financial and institutional support towards strengthening farmer collectivisation in the region.
Appreciating the efforts of the JKCIP team, she congratulated Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, Upscaling Collectivisation; Dr. G. M. Bhat, Head KVK Kupwara and DIO JKCIP; Dr. Firdous Ahmad Raina, FLO Sogam; Dr. Shahid Hakeem, FLO Magam; and Dr. Sheikh Amjid, FPO Development Officer Kupwara, for their dedicated contribution towards the formation and registration of the two FPOs and successful organisation of the mobilisation drive.
She expressed confidence that the newly established organisations would emerge as sustainable, farmer-led business institutions and contribute towards the socio-economic empowerment of farming communities.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Shahid Hakeem, Professor of Soil Science, KVK Kupwara, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, participating officers, dignitaries, FPO representatives and farmers for their valuable participation.
The initiative is expected to provide fresh momentum to organised farming, collective marketing and sustainable agricultural development in Handwara and the wider Kupwara district.
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