Awareness Camp regarding formation & benefits of FPOs held at Ajas

BANDIPORA, April 17: An awareness camp was today held by the Department of Sheep Husbandry Bandipora at Ajas to familiarize sheep farmers with the necessity of organizing themselves into a farmer producer organization (FPO) in the wake of imminent implementation of Holistic Agriculture Development Plan.

A sizable number of farmers in excess of 80 from adjoining areas of Ajas like Sounara, Banyari, SK payeen, SK Bala and Chewa participated in the camp with spirit and zest besides sarpanchs and other PRI members also graced the occasion.

Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Ajas, Dr. Mir Mehraj and Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Sumbal, Dr. Umar Amin were present as experts on the event.

At the outset VAS Ajas apprised and educated farmers about the ambitious nature of HADP and explained at length as to how this project aims to push sheep husbandry sector  to a new trajectory of growth with a mission of massive shift in the next five years by transforming sheep rearing from subsistence activity to a sustainable, remunerative and commercially viable venture.

He emphasized upon the educated unemployed youth to come forward and become stakeholders on this development journey by aggregating themselves into FPOs.

He further articulated the multiple benefits of forming such FPOs in tandem with HADP ranging from establishment of abattoirs, common facility centers, mutton processing plants, sustainable pelt and wool value chains, market linkages thus resulting in overall optimal technical and economic gains.

Speaking on the occasion VAS Sumbal urged the participants to come forward and avail benefits under PMJJBY and PMSBY schemes which provide life insurance and accidental insurance coverage to the tune of 2 lac ₹ with premium rates of Rs.436 and Rs.20 per annum respectively.

He informed them about different income and employment generation schemes of the department and also explained various aspects of HADP and FPOs.

Farmers in excess of 45 enrolled themselves for FPO formation on the spot while dozens of them were enrolled under PMJJBY and PMSBY schemes also.

The event concluded with an interaction session in which various queries were raised regarding HADP and FPO formation which were answered by both the experts to the satisfaction of the participating farmers.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)