Bhubaneswar: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture in association with NGO, Darbar Sahitya Sansad (DSS) launched Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited on 20th Nov 2019 at Naroda, Khordha. An FPO is a registered body with producers as shareholders in the organisation. It deals with business activities related to the farm produce and it works for the benefit of the member producers. Basically it bridges the gap between production and marketing of the produce by undertaking many activities starting from procurement of inputs to export of produce. Around 150 farmers including 90 women participated in the meet. The meeting was attended by eminent personnel from State Agriculture University, ICAR-CIFA, NFDB, KVK etc. Earlier. Mr. Kedareswar Choudhury, Secretary, Darbar Sahitya Sansad welcomed the guests. While speaking on the occasion Dr. G. S. Saha, HoD, ICAR-CIFA encouraged the farmers to form aggregate. Right from production to marketing of the produce and in dissemination of market information, technology and innovations FPOs can play a great role, stated Dr Saha. This was followed by release of publication on Farmer First project operated by ICAR-CIFA. The dignitaries launched Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited by unveiling the plaque. Dr. Basudeb Behera, Professor & Head, Agronomy, OUAT, Bhubaneswar attended the function as chief guest. He congratulated the Directors of FPOs present there and urged them to adopt innovative practices in cultivation of vegetables and other crops. Dr Manas K Sinha, Senior Executive Director, NFDB, Hyderabad apprised the participants about various schemes on freshwater aquaculture. He mentioned about Brood bank facilities, capacity building programmes being implemented by NFDB. Blue revolution scheme has a bouquet of schemes for supporting fish farmers, informed Dr Sinha. He also encouraged the farmers to come up with good proposals for consideration of funding by NFDB. Sh Ajay K Dash, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) of KVK, Khordha, the directors from various Farmers producers company shared their experiences. Sri Padmanava Chaudhury, Director of Bhargabi Fish Farmers Producers Company Limited acknowledged the support of CIFA, NABARD and other stakeholders in establishing the FPO. A Farmers-Scientists Interface was organised as a part of the launching ceremony. Several progressive farmers narrated how they could be successful by adopting scientific farming practices. The experts and line department officials attended to the production related queries of the farmers in crops, horticulture, fisheries and related enterprises. Six selected farmers were felicitated for their contribution in aggregating the producers and forming FPOs. An exhibition was also organised on the sidelines of the event wherein different stakeholders showcased their services, products etc. for creating awareness among farmers. Dr. H. K. De, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIFA and Principal Investigator, Farmer First Project coordinated the whole programme. Related Comments comments

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