Regional Workshop on Strengthening FPOs for Sustainable Agri-Entrepreneurship held in Tawang
Biswadeep Gupta
April 21, 2025
A two-day Regional
Workshop & Stakeholders’ Meeting on “Strengthening of Farmer Producer
Organizations (FPOs) for Efficient and Sustainable Agri-entrepreneurship in
Vibrant Villages of Northeast India” was inaugurated here at Tawang today at
the Kala Wangpo Convention Centre. The
event is being jointly organized by Central Agricultural University (CAU),
Imphal and ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI, in collaboration with ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad. The
College of Agriculture, CAU, Pasighat, and KVK Tawang extended logistics
support for the successful implementation of the workshop.
The workshop
focused on strengthening FPOs and FPCs to promote rural entrepreneurship and
sustainability in border areas. Discussions highlighted forming small-scale
enterprises for value addition, processing, and alternate income, alongside
collective marketing and better credit access to empower farming communities
and curb migration.
Chief Guest, Dinesh
Kulkarni, National Secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, lauded the enthusiasm of
Arunachal’s farmers and underscored the critical role of FPOs in curbing
migration and empowering rural youth. He urged farmers to fully leverage
government schemes from NABARD and other institutions. Dr. Anupam Mishra, Vice
Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, in his presidential address, stressed upon Arunachal Pradesh's
natural advantage in cultivating high-value crops, including medicinal and
aromatic plants. He urged stakeholders to explore export markets and assured
continued technical support from CAU in processing and value chain management
of FPOs and FPCs in the region.
Special Guest, Dr.
Rajbir Singh, DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, New Delhi, highlighted the
role to be played by the KVKs in promoting and supporting FPOs. He stressed
upon the need for documenting success stories of FPOs from Arunachal for
national-level demonstration and emphasized the importance of capacity
development for sustainable business growth. Guest of Honour, Ullas Kulkarni, Kshetra Pracharak, NE Region
& National Executive Member, RSS, acknowledged the commendable involvement
of women in FPOs and urged farmers from border districts to adopt modern
technologies to improve income and curb youth migration. Abhay Mahajan, Organizing Secretary,
Deendayal Research Institute, New Delhi, elaborated on the institute’s vision
aligning with the goals of the workshop. He mentioned developing working models
for FPOs/FPCs to foster self-sufficiency through targeted training and
production.
Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director of ICAR ATARI, Zone
VI, commenced the program with a warm welcome address and highlighted the
opportunities and constraints of different crops in the Tawang region of
Arunachal Pradesh. Also, he briefly explained the initiatives taken under high
altitude agriculture and vibrant village programme along with strategies for strengthening
institutional frameworks for FPOs and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The workshop included technical sessions where experts discussed the status and
strategies for promoting entrepreneurship through FPOs in Vibrant Villages,
along with management issues, solutions, and supply chain development. It also
featured an interactive review meeting with CBBOs and FPOs of Arunachal
Pradesh, critical input distribution to farmers, and concluded with a field
visit to Vibrant Villages for on-ground insights.
Among others, the
workshop was attended by, Dr. V.K. Mishra, Director, ICAR-RC NEH Region,
Umiam, Vasant Pandit, Treasurer,
Deendayal Research Institute, New Delhi,
Anuja Parchure, Social Worker & Member of Management Committee of
Deendayal Research Institute, New Delhi,
Amitabh Bashista, General Manager, Deendayal Research Institute, New
Delhi, Deans of Colleges under CAU, Director of Extension Education (DEE), CAU,
Members of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, North Eastern Region, FPOs and FPCs of Arunachal
Pradesh, farmers and Heads and SMS' of KVK Tawang and West Kameng.
(Tripurainfo)
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