Bandipora, July 31: The District Level Committee (DLC) under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP), hosted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), approved eligible proposals under multiple project components aimed at strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), promoting agri-entrepreneurship and improving farmers' livelihoods in the district.
The meeting was chaired by the District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, and attended by the General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC); Assistant Commissioner Revenue; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat; District Manager, NABARD; Divisional Forest Officer; Chief Agriculture Officer; Chief Horticulture Officer; Chief Animal Husbandry Officer; District Sheep Husbandry Officer; District Sericulture Officer; Assistant Director Fisheries; Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Department; District Lead Bank Manager; Area Marketing Officer; progressive farmers; and Dr. Tariq Sultan, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK Bandipora, who serves as the District Implementing Officer under JKCIP.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Tariq Sultan outlined the objectives of JKCIP and highlighted its role in promoting sustainable agricultural development through stronger Farmer Producer Organisations, improved market access, value addition and enterprise development. He informed the Committee that all applications had been thoroughly scrutinized and verified by the designated Scrutiny Officers and Field Level Officers in accordance with the prescribed project guidelines before being placed before the District Level Committee for approval.
During the meeting, the Committee deliberated on proposals submitted under key JKCIP components, including Farm Mechanization and Drudgery Reduction Support, FPO-managed Agri-Service Centre Business Vertical Support, FPO-managed Orchard Management Business Vertical Support, Water Management Business Vertical Support and Aggregation Business Vertical Support. Following detailed discussions and examination, the Committee approved all eligible cases in accordance with the scheme's provisions and guidelines.
The approved interventions are expected to strengthen FPO-led service delivery, expand access to modern farm machinery, improve water management, enhance orchard management practices and promote aggregation-based business models, contributing to higher farm productivity, better market linkages and increased rural incomes.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks. The members reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the transparent and effective implementation of JKCIP through close coordination among stakeholder departments. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening FPOs, encouraging rural entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farming communities across Bandipora.
