Longleng, 19 May (MTNews): Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) aim to improve farmers’ competitiveness and advantage in developing market prospects. The primary goal of FPOs is to raise producer income through their own organization.
On 12 May, the Longleng District Monitoring Committee held a meeting on “Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10000 FPOs” at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Longleng, where Project Head, Bhaskar Parnt informed the role of M/s Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., an accounting software company in Ludhiana, Punjab that is into sales, development, training, and placements, established with the goal of catering to the growing demand for trained manpower in industry. According to Bhaskar, the company has been allotted one FPO in each of three blocks: Longleng, Tamlu, and Sakshi, for which Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd will offer technical assistance.
While discussing the district’s challenges, such as the lack of processing units, cold storage facilities, and logistical issues, it was agreed that Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd would play an important role in addressing those challenges and bridging the existing gaps through their technical support.
Because the area is hilly in nature, Bhaskar emphasized that a minimum of 100 farmers should be enrolled per FPO to ensure viability and effectiveness. He further stated that each FPO must have a Board of Directors composed of 10 members, including a CEO and an accountant, and that the FPOs must be registered under the Producer Company Act.
In the meeting, the committee also discussed the primary and secondary crops to be emphasized by each FPO. It was agreed that Longleng Block will focus on ginger cultivation, Tamlu Block on Coffee production, and Sakshi Block on Maize/mustard Cultivation. Additionally, the committee recognized the potential of other secondary crops which could complement the primary crops.
The committee also discussed the primary and secondary crops that each FPO should promote throughout the conference. Longleng Block will specialize in ginger cultivation, Tamlu Block in coffee production, and Sakshi Block in maize/mustard agriculture. Furthermore, the committee recognized the potential of several secondary crops to supplement the basic crops.
Longleng Block will grow pineapple, litchi, orange, coffee, and rubber; Tamlu Block will grow betel vine, Areca nut, lime, and huge cardamom; and Sakhi Block will grow ginger, colocasia, and leafy vegetables.
Furthermore, the committee commended a group of around 40 households in Hukphang and Lingtak for their remarkable ginger growing. Recognizing their skill and potential for further development, it was suggested that this group be turned into an FPO.
The committee decided that the District Agriculture Office should work with Doric Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. to determine the primary and secondary crops for each FPO. These crops will be decided upon in the upcoming meeting.
The discussion ended with a sense of purpose and commitment to promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve the socioeconomic conditions of the farmers in Longleng district.
