Farmer Producer Orgs in Tuensang attend training

The participants during the training for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) held at the Farmers Innovation Centre (FIC) at Angangba village, Tuensang district from September 26 to 28. 

Tuensang, September 28 (MExN): Three-day training for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) was held at the Farmers Innovation Centre (FIC) at Angangba village, Tuensang district from September 26 to 28. 

Phulmani Baro, CEO Rhododendron Valley FPO in a press release stated that Five FPOs were provided with high level training for Board of Directors (BODs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for organizing farmers for marketing and sales of their farm produce. These FPOs are comprised of farmers from Longkhim, Chare, Noklak, Noksen and Sangsangyu blocks. 

The event was organized by NABARD. TK Hazarika, Executive Director and K. Kartikeyan, COO from Ekgaon Consultancy Services with a tremendous amount of experience in the developmental agribusiness sector were the trainers for the entire workshop. 

Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) and Better Life Foundation (BLF), NGOs based out of Tuensang district, have been taking the lead for creating these FPOs. Once these FPOs function fully they will be catering to about 25 villages for improving productivity, marketing and sales of agricultural produce.

Thirty farmer participants over three days were taught the reasons and the benefits of collectivized farming. This movement will allow farmers to plan their crops according to market demands and harvest and process it to maximize the value of the produce.

The first two days were spent on understanding concept of FPOs, BOD and CEO roles and responsibilities and learning to make business plan and start building data on an individual farmer level. The last day was followed by a field visit to Village Level Marketing committee for interaction. 

A very encouraging case of the Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) was also cited here where the 500 villagers successfully collected Rs. 3000 each over three years and built a share capital of Rs. 15 lakhs. “This shows the collective strength of farmers when they organize themselves and as a community, gives their heart and soul into achieving a shared goal,” the release added.