More than 200 farmers participated in a major Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) mobilisation drive in Budgam on Tuesday as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) stepped up efforts to strengthen farmer collectives under the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-supported Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP).
The programme, organised by the Ashtar Valley Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Ltd., Arigam, Khansahib, focused on expanding FPO membership and promoting collective farming enterprises as a means to improve farmers’ incomes, enhance market access and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
Addressing the gathering, Director Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Prof. (Dr.) Raihana Habib Kanth, said Farmer Producer Organisations are emerging as key institutions for transforming the agricultural sector by enabling farmers to collectively access quality inputs, modern technologies, institutional credit, value-addition facilities and organised markets.
She urged farmers to actively join producer organisations and take advantage of the opportunities created under the IFAD-supported JKCIP. She also reaffirmed SKUAST-K’s commitment to providing technical support, capacity building and extension services to strengthen farmer-led institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.
Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Budgam, Prof. Bilal Ahmad Lone, highlighted the importance of adopting scientific farming practices, collective marketing and continuous skill development to improve farm productivity, profitability and rural livelihoods.
Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, Upscaling Collectivisation Component, JKCIP, SKUAST-K, outlined the project’s strategy for building strong, self-reliant and commercially viable farmer organisations. He said expanding farmer participation and increasing membership are essential to creating sustainable producer collectives capable of effectively addressing challenges related to production, aggregation and marketing.
The event brought together officials associated with the JKCIP collectivisation programme, FPO development officers from several districts, scientists, extension experts and members of the Ashtar Valley Farmer Producer Organisation.
An interactive session was also held during the programme, during which farmers sought information on FPO membership, governance mechanisms, business planning and market opportunities. Experts addressed their queries and encouraged eligible farmers to join producer organisations to benefit from collective farming and improved market linkages.
The mobilisation drive forms part of SKUAST-K’s ongoing efforts under the JKCIP to expand and strengthen farmer-owned institutions with the objective of enhancing agricultural competitiveness, improving market integration and increasing farm incomes across Jammu and Kashmir.
