Jamshedpur: The Ambagan Maidan in Sakchi, Jamshedpur, came alive as the three-day FPO/OFPO Agricultural Fair kicked off on March 6. The event, a collaborative effort between NABARD, Jharkhand, ONDC, SFAC, and local stakeholders, aims to enhance agricultural practices, promote sustainable farming, and improve rural economies.
Manoj Kumar Singh, Member, KVIC, Eastern Region, IHM, inaugurated the event in the presence of Anvita Surin, General Manager, ONDC, Arya Vinayakam, KVK Scientist, Santosh Kumar, Lead Bank Manager, Deepak Kumar, Agriculture Officer, and Jasmika Baske, District Development Officer, NABARD.
Addressing Concerns and Emphasizing Sustainable Agriculture: Chief Guest Manoj Kumar Singh expressed concern over the economic conditions of Jharkhand’s farmers and stressed the need to enhance production, productivity, and quality in agriculture. He highlighted the potential benefits of organic and natural farming and called for promoting small-scale industries and rural tourism. Emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, he urged stakeholders to register on online platforms to facilitate continuous efforts in agriculture and rural development.
Singh acknowledged India’s transformation from a food shortage nation to a ‘self-reliant India,’ exporting food grains globally. He praised agricultural innovation’s role and emphasized that agricultural development is pivotal for overall national development. Singh identified challenges in Indian agriculture, including monsoon dependence, small land holdings, market and technology gaps, and climate change. He called for a shift towards Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the role of Agri startups in connecting farmers with larger markets.
NABARD’s Commitment to Agriculture and Rural Development: Anvita Surin, General Manager NABARD, highlighted NABARD’s commitment to agriculture and rural development. She emphasized the transformative impact of digital technology in connecting farmers to markets. Surin encouraged NABARD to continue supporting farmers with new technologies, skill development, and financial inclusion. Stressing the need to leverage natural resources in Jharkhand for promoting an agriculture-based indigenous economy, she outlined NABARD’s various ongoing programs for rural development.
Empowering Farmers through Information: During the fair, officers provided farmers with valuable information about loan facilities available through state government initiatives and banks. This exchange aimed to empower farmers with knowledge about financial support mechanisms and promote informed decision-making.
The FPO/OFPO Agricultural Fair in Jamshedpur serves as a platform to bridge gaps, foster sustainable practices, and encourage collaboration for the betterment of rural economies. The event reflects a collective commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape and promoting self-reliance in the region.
Very unfortunate, there is space demarcated to village farmers to sell their vegetables etc. Look at Mango you will find road side vendors selling their vegetables. Traffic jams. Very risk heavy vehicles passing on this road. No government policy to provide basic amenities to public as well as to famers. Paying taxes, no roads, no footpaths, no areawise vegetables mandis to meet Public basic requirements. I Appeal TAM to cover news and bring it to administration
Very unfortunate, there is no space demarcated to village farmers to sell their vegetables etc. Look at Mango you will find road side vendors selling their vegetables. Traffic jams. Very risk heavy vehicles passing on this road. No government policy to provide basic amenities to public as well as to famers. Paying taxes, no roads, no footpaths, no areawise vegetables mandis to meet Public basic requirements. I Appeal TAM to cover news and bring it to administration