Devyani Rana inaugurates Mathwar FPO Office at Agore, calls for strengthening farmers through cooperative initiatives

STATE TIMES NEWS

MATHWAR: MLA Nagrota Devyani Rana on Monday inaugurated the office of the Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) at Agore and launched a one-day awareness programme to educate farmers about the functioning and benefits of Farmer Producer Organisations.
Describing the occasion as a “dream come true,” the MLA recalled the vision of her late father Devender Singh Rana, former legislator of the constituency, who had worked tirelessly for the welfare of farmers in the region. She said it was his commitment and determination that led to the registration and sanctioning of The Mathwar Farmer Producer Organisation Cooperative Limited, laying the foundation for institutional support to the farming community.
Rana said that the inauguration of the FPO office marks the realization of that vision and a significant step towards empowering farmers through collective initiatives and cooperative efforts.
The Mathwar FPO has been established with financial assistance from the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), a Government of India institution that promotes cooperative development across the country. The initiative aims to empower farmers by enabling them to work collectively, improve productivity, access better markets and enhance their income through organized agricultural activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Devyani Rana said that Farmer Producer Organisations have emerged as an important instrument for strengthening the rural economy and improving the socio-economic condition of farmers. She emphasized that the cooperative model encourages collective action, strengthens bargaining power and enables farmers to benefit from economies of scale.
“FPOs provide a strong platform for farmers to come together, share resources and collectively address challenges faced in agriculture. Through such organisations, farmers can access quality inputs, modern technologies, credit facilities and improved marketing opportunities,” she said.
Addressing progressive farmers of Block Mathwar during the awareness programme organized under the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of FPOs, the MLA said cooperatives embody the true spirit of collective progress by uniting individuals, pooling resources and creating opportunities for equitable development.
She observed that in recent years the cooperative sector has received significant institutional support at the national level, revitalizing grassroots organisations and enabling them to play a vital role in promoting rural prosperity, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The newly inaugurated Mathwar FPO office at Agore is expected to serve as a key hub for farmers of the surrounding areas, enabling them to coordinate activities, receive technical guidance and expand agricultural enterprises through cooperative efforts, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, Lalit Goel, Regional Director NCDC, informed that the Mathwar FPO has been sanctioned a management cost assistance of Rs 42 lakh along with an equity grant of up to Rs 15 lakh to strengthen its institutional functioning and support member farmers. He said the FPO will also be eligible under the 85 percent Credit Guarantee Scheme, facilitating easier access to credit for agricultural activities.
He further informed that Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) worth Rs 4.50 lakh each will be installed at the FPO office to provide real-time weather data for better crop planning and risk management.
On the occasion, Vikrant Dogra, Chairman of Unati Agri Allied and Marketing Multi-State Cooperative Society Ltd. and Chairman and CEO of the Jammu and Kashmir Dairy Cooperative Federation Ltd., also addressed the gathering and highlighted the role of the Cooperative Department in strengthening farmer-based organisations.