Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 19: The modalities for early formation and promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the district were today discussed here at the District Level Monitoring Committee (DLMC) meeting chaired by District Development Commissioner, Dr.Piyush Singla.
District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD, Rajesh Kumar gave a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the FPO scheme. He said that two clusters may be identified for promotion of FPOs during the year 2020-21 in two blocks with focus on high value produce having potential for value addition, processing and export potential.
It was informed that various clusters have been identified for promotion of FPOs in the district like Garlic in Block Latti, Walnut in Block Basantgarh, Ginger and Turmeric in Block Ghordi, Organic vegetables in Udhampur and Chenani.
The Committee pointed out that there is also a huge potential for processing maize into corn flakes and cattle feed.
The members apprised that ground work for identifying the potential Produce Clusters, activities to be taken up and mobilization of farmers in the district have been done.
Detailed deliberation were held on the salient features of the scheme, Identification of product clusters, convergence of various state schemes for the promotion of FPOs etc.
Underlining the objectives of the scheme, the DDC said that Government of India has initiated the formation and promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) to boost the rural economy. He exhorted upon the nodal departments to converge their schemes for the promotion of Farmers Produce Organizations (FPOs) besides providing a secure platform to farmers to market their produce.
The Chief Agriculture Officer was directed to nominate one Nodal officer to liaison with DDM NABARD to address hindrances in a time bound manner. He asked the concerned departments to mobilize their field staff for identifying the two potential Produce clusters in the district and submit the report within a week. The DDC directed the concerned Officers to designate the Nodal Officers for effective implementation of the scheme in the district.
He stressed on identifying the cluster with the scope of huge potential of marketing and road connectivity.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner, Ashok Kumar; Chief Planning Officer, Rajeev Bhushan; Assistant Commissioner Development, Mushtaq Chowdhary; Chief Agriculture Officer, Satish Bhagat; Chief Horticulture Officer, Brij Vallabh Gupta; CAHO, DSHO and other officers and officials were present in the meeting.
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