Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 5: An international online-training programme titled “Innovative Marketing Models for Small holder’s Agriculture”, being organized by IIM Jammu, began today.
IIM Jammu is organizing this training in collaboration with African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), New Delhi for its member countries. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of Dr Manoj Nardeo Singh, Secretary General, AARDO; Prof B S Sahay, Director IIM Jammu; Dr S M Ovais, Head, Capacity Building & Development projects, AARDO; Prof Jabir Ali and Prof Ateeque Shaikh, Programme Directors, IIM Jammu.
The training programme has received overwhelming response with 44 participants from 16 different countries of Asia and Africa. Its objective is to develop an understanding of the agricultural marketing systems for smallholder’s agriculture, evaluate the process of integrating smallholder farmers into modern marketing systems and retail supply chains, and understand the role of technology, information system, and infrastructure in creating agricultural marketing systems for small holders. This programme will focus on capacity building of the Middle-Level Government Officials from the AARDO member countries, who are endowed with the responsibility of strengthening marketing linkage for various agricultural produce for enhancing farmer’s income.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu emphasized the importance of international training programme which enables cross-cultural learning for policy design and programme implementation for small holders.
Dr Manoj Nardeosingh emphasized the importance of building partners with academic institutions like IIM Jammu to develop capacity building amongst the member countries of AARDO. “AARDO continues to focus in enabling member countries policy makers to ensure that the constraints that smallholders face are overcome through market linkage and access, efficient production and harvesting practices, creating farmers institutions and enabling credit access to the small holders,” he added.
Dr S M Ovais, Head, Capacity Building and Building Projects, discussed the history of the formation of AARDO and the various activities AARDO takes in 33 member countries of African and Asia. Prof Ateeque Shaikh delivered the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the inauguration event.
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