Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: As announced by Government of India in the Union budget for 2014-15, 2000 Producer Organizations are to be created in next two years in the country for which a separate fund has been created with NABARD. In order to achieve this goal, NABARD, J&K RO initiated the process by conducting a sensitization workshop in its Regional Office to sensitize the various agencies, Government Department and NGOs.
SA Pande, CGM, NABARD said that due to varied climatic and geographical regions, different agricultural and horticulture produce and varied livelihood activities, J&K offers huge potential for formation and promotion of Producers Organisations.
He further elaborated the relevance and benefits of JLGs for the purpose of extending finance/credit by financial institutions especially to those farmers who do not have proper land titles to cultivate the land on lease basis.
Workshop was aimed at creation of awareness among the stakeholders, liaison with channel partners and to make assessment on scope for promotion of Producer Organizations in J&K.
The main focus of the workshop was to identify clusters in the areas of agriculture, sericulture, horticulture, floriculture, vegetables, basmati rice, dairy, bee keeping, handicrafts, handlooms, other farm and non-farm sectors, farm produce aggregation, marketing and value addition activities having potentials to form Producer Organizations.
Stake holders were made aware about concept of Producers Organisations, process of formation and support available from NABARD and SFAC. During deliberations few areas like Organic Basmati, Dairy, milk products (kulhari), walnut, floriculture, turmeric cultivation, vegetables and handicraft etc. were identified for promotion of Producers Organisations.
The workshop was attended by officials of State Government, SKUAST, NGOs, Corporates and members of Farmers Club and SHGs.
The workshop ended with vote of thanks by Ranbir Singh, GM, NABARD.
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