22 Farmers Join FPO Membership in Basantpur, FPO to Train Women in Amla Product Preparation.
Shimla:
In a significant development, 22 farmers, including 20 women, have joined the Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in Basantpur. This initiative is part of the ongoing membership drive aimed at reaching a target of 2,000 members in this fiscal year. The meeting, which was held in Basantpur, was chaired by FPO Working Committee members and Panchayat Committee members Vijay Kumar and Jagdish Thakur. Bhupender Singh, the Secretary of the FPO, and Parja Ram Thakur participated as resource persons and provided detailed information about the FPO and its operations.
Bhupender Singh highlighted that FPO Dharmpur has achieved an exceptional status, being ranked the best in the state based on membership among the 175 FPOs formed across Himachal Pradesh. To date, the organization has set up five small processing units in Sakoh-Siddhpur, Gharwasra, Taniyar, Baroti, and Jodhan-Sajao-Peplu, and has also obtained FSSAI licenses for them. Furthermore, a large multi-processing unit is being established in Bharadi, which will be equipped with machines to produce a variety of products.
During the meeting, 22 farmers, including women from various villages like Harloot, Bahal, Basantpur, Rasain, and Bangsar, took the decision to join the FPO. Among them were Bhawani, Rajni, Indu, Pyar Chand, Urmila, Shakuntala from Harloot, and several others from surrounding villages. Bhupender Singh emphasized that the FPO, registered in 2022, is currently the leader in terms of membership and is on track to become one of the best FPOs in the country by the end of this fiscal year. The organization has already gained members from 45 out of the 54 gram panchayats in the Dharmpur development block, with meetings planned in the remaining 9 panchayats by the end of February to complete the membership campaign.
The meeting also acknowledged the contributions of progressive farmers in the region, including Ajay Kumar from Basantpur and Captain Tara Chand from Rasain. These farmers have been practicing organic farming using vermicompost and producing a variety of crops and vegetables. The FPO will assist them by providing marketing facilities for their organic produce.
Additionally, the FPO plans to offer training to women in the area of amla (Indian gooseberry) product preparation. This region is known for abundant amla production, and products like candy, pickles, and powders can be made. The training initiative aims to empower women in this field. There is also a call for supplying turmeric seeds for large-scale cultivation in the region.
Around 80 farmers, including Captain Tara Chand, ASI Kamlesh Kumar, Pawan Kumar, Vijay Kumar, and Saroj Kumari, participated in the meeting, showing strong support for the FPO’s activities and future initiatives.
