JAMMU: Devyani Rana, MLA Nagrota, on Monday inaugurated the office of the Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) at Agore and launched a one-day awareness programme to educate farmers about the role and benefits of Farmer Producer Organisations.
Calling the occasion a “dream come true,” Rana recalled the vision of her late father Devender Singh Rana, a former legislator who worked extensively for the welfare of farmers in the region. She said his efforts and commitment led to the registration and sanctioning of the Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Limited, laying the groundwork for institutional support to the farming community.
She said the inauguration of the FPO office marks the fulfilment of that vision and represents an important step toward empowering farmers through cooperative initiatives and collective action.
The Mathwar FPO has been established with financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), a Government of India institution that promotes cooperative development across the country. The initiative aims to enable farmers to work collectively, enhance productivity, access better markets and improve their income through organised agricultural activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Rana said FPOs have emerged as an important mechanism for strengthening the rural economy and improving the socio-economic conditions of farmers. She said the cooperative model 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 in agriculture. Through FPOs, farmers can access quality inputs, modern technologies, credit facilities and improved marketing opportunities,” she said.
Addressing progressive farmers from Block Mathwar during the awareness programme organised under the Central Sector Scheme for promotion of FPOs, the MLA said cooperatives represent the spirit of collective progress by bringing individuals together to pool resources and create opportunities for equitable development.
She noted that in recent years the cooperative sector has received strong institutional support at the national level, which has revitalised grassroots organisations and helped the sector emerge as a key driver of rural prosperity and self-reliance.
Rana said the newly inaugurated FPO office at Agore will serve as a hub for farmers from nearby areas, enabling them to coordinate activities, access technical guidance and expand agricultural enterprises through cooperative efforts.
Referring to the philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” she said these values reflect the essence of cooperation where progress is achieved through collective responsibility and shared effort.
On the occasion, Lalit Goel, Regional Director of NCDC, informed that the Mathwar FPO has been sanctioned ₹42 lakh as management cost assistance along with an equity grant of up to ₹15 lakh to strengthen its functioning and support member farmers. He added that the FPO will also be eligible under the 85 percent Credit Guarantee Scheme, facilitating easier access to credit for agricultural activities.
Goel further said that Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) worth ₹4.5 lakh each will be installed at the FPO office to provide real-time weather data to farmers, helping them plan crops and manage risks effectively. An Agriculture Service Centre (ASC) will also be set up under the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) to provide modern agricultural services, inputs and technical support.
Also speaking 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 Limited, highlighted the role of the Cooperative Department in promoting farmer-based organisations and strengthening the agricultural sector.
A large number of farmers, FPO members, officials from 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 boost agricultural productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods in the region.
