30/08/2026
A Mega FPO Mobilisation-cum-Sensitisation Drive was organised by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir at Kokernag, Anantnag, under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP), with the objective of sensitising farmers and rural youth about Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), collective action, entrepreneurship and opportunities for improving farm-based livelihoods on 29th August 2026. Around 200 farmers participated in the programme.
The programme witnessed the participation of senior officials from SKUAST KASHMIR and line department, agricultural experts, farmers, rural youth, FPO promoters and other stakeholders. The event provided a platform for interaction with FPOs and startups and highlighted the importance of collectivisation for enhancing farmers' access to markets, technology, finance and value addition.
During the inaugural session, Dr. Danish Mushtaq, FPO Development Officer (FODO), JKCIP, set the tone of the programme, while Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat, Coordinator, UC-JKCIP, delivered the welcome and opening remarks and highlighted the objectives of the mobilisation drive.
Chief Guest of the event, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ganai, emphasized the need for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to work with a clear focus on collectivization, value addition, branding and market linkages. He highlighted the AMUL success story as an exemplary model of farmer collectivization, urging FPOs to draw lessons from it and build strong, farmer-owned institutions that can create sustainable economic opportunities for their members.He highlighted the immense potential of Mushk Budji rice, stressing the need to develop appropriate value chains, branding and quality standards so that the unique Kashmiri rice can eventually be exported to international markets, including Japan. He stressed that such achievements should be replicated through systematic branding, quality assurance, value addition and market-oriented production.
Vice Chancellor further spoke about the SKUAST-K Branding Centre, emphasizing the importance of branding and professional packaging of agricultural products to enhance their market value and create a distinct identity for local produce. He called for uniting efforts and aggregating inputs of farmers, institutions and other stakeholders to build stronger value chains. Referring to the Junglenad, Pulwama model, he highlighted the initiative wherein around 60 farmers collectively pooled nearly 100 kanals of land, enabling the creation of a consolidated farming model and facilitating the adoption of High-Density Plantation (HDP). In just 01 year HDP apples fetched price of more than 1 crore. He described the initiative as a beautiful and replicable model of collectivization, demonstrating how farmers can achieve better outcomes by pooling resources, adopting modern technologies and working collectively.The Vice Chancellor further informed the gathering that SKUAST-K has already initiated a Centre of Excellence for Tulip at Sagam, Kokernag, aimed at promoting advanced tulip cultivation, technology, quality planting material and related value-chain activities. He emphasized that such Centres of Excellence can serve as models for technology dissemination and commercialization while creating new opportunities for farmers.
Dr. Ashaq H. Pandit, Project Coordinator, JKCIP, highlighted the significance of FPOs in empowering farmers and creating opportunities for rural youth. Prof. H.R. Naik, Nodal Officer, JKCIP, SKUAST-Kashmir, spoke on the institutional support and role of collectivisation in strengthening the agricultural sector. The Chief Agriculture Officer, Anantnag, and Registrar, SKUAST-Kashmir, also participated in the programme and shared their perspectives on strengthening farmer institutions and supporting agricultural development. Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension and Chairperson, Upscaling Collectivization, emphasised the importance of farmer aggregation, capacity building and collective marketing. The programme also featured the release of literature related to FPO development and farmer-oriented initiatives. A major highlight of the event was the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries, reflecting the project's efforts towards providing support and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities among farmers and rural communities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ishtiyaq A. Khan, Head, KVK Anantnag, who expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, officials, farmers, FPO representatives, rural youth and stakeholders for their participation and support.
The Mega FPO Mobilisation Drive reaffirmed the commitment of JKCIP and SKUAST-Kashmir towards strengthening FPOs, promoting collectivisation and creating sustainable economic opportunities for farmers and rural youth across Jammu & Kashmir.
