BANDIPORA: The Department of Horticulture, Bandipora, in collaboration with Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Shejaar, Sumbal, today organized a one-day Kisan Goshti that witnessed enthusiastic participation from FPO members and farmers, including women.
The event aimed to promote value addition and post-harvest management of fruits and vegetables to enhance farmers’ income and livelihood opportunities, especially for women in rural areas.
On the occasion, a team from Gen Gas Pvt. Ltd., Noida, interacted with the FPO members and farmers, providing insights on the drying and preservation of fruits and vegetables during harsh winters. The participants were also briefed about innovative methods for vegetable value addition and ways to improve product quality, shelf life, and marketability to ensure better returns for farmers.
As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the company presented a Solar Dehydration Unit to the FPO Shejaar. The unit aims to empower local women by generating self-employment opportunities through small-scale value addition activities.
The participants expressed gratitude to the District Administration and the Horticulture Department for organizing such an informative and empowering event, aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable horticultural practices across the district.
The function witnessed participation of SDM Sumbal, Murtaza ahmad; Chief Horticulture Officer (CHO) Bandipora, Pawan Kumar Thakur; CHO Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Tantray, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Bandipora, Javaid Samoon; HDO Sumbal, MD Shejaar Vegetable Produce Company, and officers and officials from agriculture and allied departments.