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| Devyani Rana inaugurates Mathwar FPO office at Agore, calls for strengthening farmers through cooperative initiatives | | |  Early Times Report
MATHWAR, Mar 16: MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana today inaugurated the office of the Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) at Agore and launched a one-day awareness programme aimed at educating farmers about the functioning and benefits of Farmer Producer Organisations.
Describing the occasion as a "dream come true," the MLA recalled the vision of her late father, Devender Singh Rana, former legislator and a dedicated representative of the constituency who worked tirelessly for the welfare of farmers in the region. She said it was his determination and commitment that led to the registration and sanctioning of The Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Limited, laying the foundation for institutional support to the farming community of the area.
Rana said that the inauguration of the FPO office marks the realization of that vision and a significant step towards empowering farmers through collective efforts and cooperative initiatives.
The Mathwar FPO has been established with financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), a premier Government of India institution that promotes cooperative development across the country. The initiative seeks to empower farmers by enabling them to work collectively, improve productivity, access better markets and enhance their income through organized agricultural activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Devyani Rana said that Farmer Producer Organisations have emerged as an important instrument for strengthening the rural economy and improving the socio-economic condition of farmers. She emphasized that the cooperative model encourages collective efforts, enhances bargaining power and enables farmers to benefit from economies of scale.
"Farmer Producer Organisations provide a strong platform for farmers to come together, share resources and collectively address challenges faced in agriculture. Through FPOs, farmers can access quality inputs, modern technologies, credit facilities and improved marketing opportunities," she said.
Addressing progressive farmers of Block Mathwar during the awareness programme organised under the Central Sector Scheme for promotion of FPOs, the MLA said that cooperatives embody the true spirit of collective progress by uniting individuals, pooling resources and creating opportunities for equitable development.
She observed that in recent years the cooperative sector has received unprecedented institutional support at the national level, which has infused fresh energy into grassroots organisations. According to her, the renewed focus on cooperatives has enabled the sector to emerge as a key driver of rural prosperity, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The newly inaugurated Mathwar FPO office at Agore is expected to serve as a key hub for farmers of the surrounding areas, enabling them to coordinate activities, receive technical guidance and expand their agricultural enterprises through cooperative efforts, she added.
Referring to the guiding philosophy of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas," Rana said these values reflect the essence of cooperation where progress is achieved through shared effort and collective responsibility. She added that dedicated initiatives over the past decade have created pathways for farmers to gain better market access, secure fair returns and build sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking of the occasion, Lalit Goel Regional Director NCDC informed that the Mathwar FPO has been sanctioned a management cost assistance of ?42.00 lakh along with an equity grant of up to ?15.00 lakh to strengthen its institutional functioning and support member farmers. He further said that the FPO will also be eligible under the 85 percent Credit Guarantee Scheme, which will facilitate easier access to credit for agricultural activities. In addition, Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) worth ?4.50 lakh each will be installed at the FPO office to provide real-time weather data to farmers, enabling better crop planning and risk management. An Agriculture Service Centre (ASC) will also be established at the FPO under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) to provide farmers with access to modern agricultural services, inputs and technical guidance.
On the occasion, Vikrant Dogra, Chairman of Unati Agri Allied and Marketing Multi-State Cooperative Society Ltd. and Chairman and CEO of the Jammu and Kashmir Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd.also addressed the gathering and highlighted the role of the Cooperative Department in promoting and strengthening farmer-based organisations in the region. They emphasized that such initiatives will help farmers become more self-reliant and economically empowered.
A large number of farmers, members of the FPO, officials of the Cooperative Department and local residents attended the event and welcomed the establishment of the office. They expressed confidence that the Mathwar FPO will significantly contribute to boosting agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the region. |
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