Srinagar: National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Ministry of Cooperation, GoI in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir’s Directorate of Extension, Department of Fisheries and Department of Cooperatives, Government of J&K organized a one day training cum awareness programme on Fish Retailing Business for FFPOs.
The programme was organized as a part of the Central Sector Scheme (PMMSY) in the conference Hall of Vice Chancellor’s Secretariat. Vice Chancellor Prof. N. A. Ganai was the Chief Guest, Regional Director NCDC Retired Lt. Col. Ashish Mohan Aggarwal, Director Extension, Prof. D.M. Makhdoomi, Director Fisheries Mr. Irshad A. Shah, Registrar Cooperatives, Shafaqat Iqbal; Dean Faculty of Fisheries, Prof. Masarrat Khan, Deputy Director NCDC, Vivek Tripathi; Associate Directors and Scientists of Directorate of Extension, officers from line departments and around 100 fish farmers/fishermen/fisherwomen from Bandipora, Srinagar and Baramulla attended the event.
The programme started with the inaugural address of Regional Director Ashish M Aggarwal who briefed about NCDC and its role in promotion and formation of FFPOs. Aggarwal also put forth various challenges faced while forming FPOs and also suggested strategies for overcoming these challenges. He also called upon to avail different opportunities provided by NCDC. Prof. Nazir A. Ganai in his key note address thanked NCDC for selecting SKUAST-K as a CBBO. A majority of the farming community in the region belongs to small and marginal farmers who need to be clubbed in groups for improving their production and productivity, economic empowerment, bargaining power and entrepreneurship development, he said.
Prof. Nazir A. Ganai stressed upon the department of fisheries and department of cooperatives to work in synergy with SKUAST-K towards formation of FFPOs. Worthy Director Extension Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi while addressing the participants spoke on the role of SKUAST-K in imparting education and training to the farming communities. Director Extension while stressing the importance of fish and its products in human health also displayed a no. of value added products of fish and other produce from Wular and Dal Lake processed by various Divisions and KVKs of SKUAST-K. Worthy Director Extension also assured NCDC of forming successful FFPOs for the fish farmers of the region. Earlier Deputy Director Vivek Tripathi gave a detailed view on formation and Promotion of FPOs. Director Fisheries,
Irshad A. Shah gave various initiatives taken up by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Jammu Kashmir towards promoting fish farming in the region. He stressed on various technological intervention for improving the productivity and production so as to further go for processing and value addition of the produce. Registrar Cooperatives Shafaqat Iqbal while addressing the participants also ensured of all support from the Department of Cooperatives for registration and follow up of various FPOs. During the technical session, various presentations covering different topics related to fish production, value addition and marketing linkage were delivered by the various experts/Scientist of SKUAST-Kashmir. The fishermen/fisherwomen and NCDC representatives and the concerned line departments hailed the initiative of SKUAST-K.

KR Desk