Port Blair, Feb 03 : A Workshop on Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) and Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) as Multi Service Centre (MSC) was conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Andaman and Nicobar Regional Office, Port Blair, at 10.00 a.m. on 03.02.2016 at the Conference Hall of Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur.
The Workshop was inaugurated by Shri ARAVA GOPI KRISHNA, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman District. The other dignitaries attended the programme are Shri.A.K. Trivedi, DANICS, Assistant Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman District, Shri Hemant Songadkar, General Manager, NABARD, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Office, Dr.Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist, Dr.Vel Murugan, Sr.
Scientist, both from ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair, Shri Ravinder Rao, Managing Director, Andaman and Nicobar State Co-operative Bank Ltd., Shri Dhananjay, Consultant, GIZ. The programme was participated by farmers and PACS‘ Secretaries and Chairmen from North and Middle Andaman District, officials from A & N Administration, Gram Panchayat officials, officials of Andaman and Nicobar State Co-operative Bank and other bankers, members from NGOs and SHGs, farmers club members and media persons.
The programme was inaugurated with traditional lamp lighting by the Deputy Commissioner along with a member from farmers’ community and other dignitaries. Then, Shri Hemant Songadkar, General Manager,
Andaman and Nicobar Regional Office welcomed the participants and explained the programme components viz. FPO, PACS as MSC and UPNRM. He also indicated that one FPO will be promoted in Diglipur through local NGO / Institution.
Addressing the participants, Shri Ravider Rao, Managing Director, the Andaman and Nicobar State Co-operative Bank Ltd. mentioned that the farmers should get competitive price for their produce and urged the
farmers to increase their produce by availing assistance from PACS.
He advised the PACS to improve their business portfolio by assisting the farmers in procurement and sale of their produce, off-farm activities, rural godowns, transport services, service activities.
He indicated that there is a plan to install micro ATMs in PACS by the SCB in rural areas.
Dr.Zamir Ahmed, Principal Scientist, CIARI indicated that CIARI is doing various research activities and propogating the technololgy from laboratory to land in the Islands. He has also mentioned that their
Out Reach Centre situated at Diglipur is undertaking agricultural extension activities and assured the support of CIARI to farmers.
Shri A.K. Trivedi, IAS, Assistant Commssioner, North and Middle Andaman District addressed the participants and advised the farmers to involve Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Andaman and Nicobar Administration for their needs. He also called upon all agencies to come forward for empowering the farmers and assured the assistance of the A & N Administration . He advised the farmers to take the benefit of the Workshop.
The Deputy Commissioner in his address, urged the farmers to come forward in agricultural development of this Region. He advised the participants to use the latest technology in agriculture to improve the production and productivity and to use technology and farm implements . He told the participants to utilize the opportunity to get information from experts available in the programme and get the doubts clarified.
During the presentation of the above components, inter-action took place with the farmers and various aspects like organic farming, marketing of produce, minor irrigation, tourism, functioning of farmers clubs were discussed.
