ANANTNAG: A Mega Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) Mobilisation-cum-Sensitisation Drive was organised at Kokernag, Anantnag, under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), bringing together around 200 farmers, rural youth, FPO promoters, agricultural experts, officials and other stakeholders to promote farmer collectivisation, entrepreneurship and sustainable farm-based livelihoods.
The programme focused on strengthening awareness about FPOs and their potential to improve farmers’ access to markets, technology, finance and value addition through collective action. It also provided a platform for interaction with FPOs and startups and discussions on opportunities for strengthening farmer-led enterprises.
Chief Guest and Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie, stressed that FPOs must focus on collectivisation, value addition, branding and market linkages, citing the AMUL model as an example of successful farmer collectivisation. Highlighting the potential of Mushk Budji rice, he called for robust value chains, branding and quality standards to position the distinctive Kashmiri rice in wider markets, including international markets such as Japan.
Prof. Ganie also highlighted the role of the SKUAST-K Branding Centre in professional branding and packaging of agricultural products to enhance their market identity. Referring to the Junglenad, Pulwama model, he noted that around 60 farmers pooled nearly 100 kanals of land for consolidated farming and adoption of High-Density Plantation (HDP), with the HDP apple plantation generating more than ₹1 crore in returns within one year. He described the initiative as a replicable model of collective farming and technology adoption.
He further informed the gathering that SKUAST-K has initiated a Centre of Excellence for Tulip at Sagam, Kokernag, aimed at promoting advanced tulip cultivation, quality planting material, technology dissemination and value-chain development, with such centres having the potential to serve as models for technology transfer and commercialisation while creating new livelihood opportunities for farmers.
Dr. Ashaq H. Pandit, Project Coordinator, JKCIP, highlighted the role of FPOs in empowering farmers and creating opportunities for rural youth. Prof. H.R. Naik, Nodal Officer, JKCIP, SKUAST-Kashmir, spoke on institutional support and the importance of collectivisation in strengthening the agricultural sector.
The Chief Agriculture Officer, Anantnag Mr. Shahnawaz Hussain and Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-Kashmir, also shared their perspectives on strengthening farmer institutions and agricultural development. Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension and Chairperson, Upscaling Collectivization, emphasized farmer aggregation, capacity building and collective marketing.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Danish Mushtaq, FPO Development Officer (FODO), JKCIP, set the context for the programme, while Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, UC-JKCIP, delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the mobilisation drive.
The programme also witnessed the release of literature related to FPO development and farmer-oriented initiatives. Cheques were presented to beneficiaries as part of the project’s efforts to support sustainable livelihood opportunities among farmers and rural communities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Ishtiyaq A. Khan, Head, KVK Anantnag.
