Rajouri: Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal, on Thursday presided over a seminar convened to discuss credit requirements in agriculture and allied sectors in consonance with the Holistic Agriculture Development program.
The event was held as part of the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan and with the objective to bridge the gap between farmers and bankers and fostering the flow of credit to the agriculture and allied sectors.
Representatives from different banks operating in the district, as well as officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture and Fisheries departments, participated in the seminar.
During the program, an overview of the various schemes and programs available for farmers was provided by the District Development Manager (DDM) of NABARD. The significance of credit in enhancing overall productivity and income for farmers was highlighted. Farmers were also acquainted with various credit-linked schemes, including Kisan Credit Cards, AIF, AHIDF, FIDF, PMFME, ODOP, NLM, HADP and encouraged to avail the benefits of these schemes.
Dr. Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, Director of Sheep Husbandry Department Jammu, emphasized the importance of promoting wool production in the district and urged farmers to establish Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for wool. He emphasized that the promotion of wool production could significantly benefit farmers and boost the rural economy. Additionally, he shed light on several government schemes and programs aimed at improving the welfare of farmers, urging them to take advantage of these opportunities to enhance their livelihoods. Creating awareness among farmers about these schemes and programs was also emphasized.
Addressing the participants, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Vikas Kundal, stressed the importance of timely and adequate credit for farmers to facilitate the adoption of modern technology and enhance productivity. He underlined the significance of agriculture credit-linked schemes, emphasizing that they aim to assist farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs in promoting sustainable agriculture practices and increasing productivity.
The Deputy Commissioner reaffirmed the District Administration’s commitment to supporting the farming community by implementing progressive initiatives and providing comprehensive assistance. The administration remains steadfast in its efforts to create an enabling environment for farmers, empowering them to thrive and contribute to the overall growth of the region.
The seminar also included discussions on the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The session covered various steps involved in FPO formation, including cluster identification, diagnostic study, feasibility analysis, baseline assessment, business planning, mobilization of farmers, organizing and formalizing, resource mobilization, business operations, assessment, and audit.
Overall, the seminar served as a platform for all stakeholders to discuss and understand the challenges faced by farmers in the district, and to explore ways to address them. The collaborative efforts of the agriculture department, bankers, and other stakeholders are expected to lead to increased credit flow and improved support for the farming community.
