Seminar on Strengthening Farmers Producer Companies and Co-operative Societies Organised

Narendrapur: ICAR- Sasya Shyamala Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, West Bengal, organized a Seminar on Strengthening Farmers Producer Companies and Co-operative Societies under the jurisdiction of ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata today. This seminar represents a crucial step towards empowering farmers, ensuring they can collectively negotiate better prices for their produce, and ultimately improving their livelihoods.

Swami Shivapurnanandaji Maharaj, Vice-Chairman, ICAR-SSKVK, RKMVERI, emphasized promoting the formation of Farmers Producer Companies and facilitating the establishment of numerous FPCs and Cooperative Societies in South 24 Parganas.

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, highlighted the pivotal issue of farmers struggling to market their produce at reasonable prices due to limited bargaining power.

he emphasized that, in response to this challenge, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, in collaboration with 59 KVKs in the region, is dedicated to strengthening FPCs, bolstering farmers’ bargaining strength, and ensuring they receive remunerative prices for their hard-earned produce.

Dr. Manas Ghosh, Director, State Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute, West Bengal, briefed about the history of FPCs and outlined crucial steps for their success.

Shri. G.C. Man, Deputy Director Agriculture (Admin.), Dr. S.N. Khara, Deputy Director Horticulture, Mr. Sujay Mukherjee, Asstt. Director, Agricultural Marketing, Govt. of West Bengal, and Mr. Abdul Jabbar Khan, Director, Bhangar Vegetable Producer Company Ltd. Spoke about different aspects of FPC functioning and activities.

Dr. N.C. Sahu, Head, ICAR-SSKVK, Narendrapur, briefed about the background of FPC formation and coordinated the whole program.

A significant highlight of the seminar was the signing of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with 16 FPCs / Co-operative Societies for technological cooperation.

A total of 50 key stakeholders, including Directors/CEOs and Board Members of FPCs, and Co-operative Societies attended the program.

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