KVK Reasi organises awareness programme on agricultural marketing

STATE TIMES NEWS
REASI: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Reasi of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu (SKUAST-J) organised an awareness programme on ‘Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure’ here on Wednesday at Tikri village of Udhampur district. More than 80 farmers, mandi traders, mandi sectaries, Self Help Groups members, entrepreneurs, Panchs, Sarpanchs and cooperative societies from different areas of Udhampur district participated in the programme. The programme was organised under the guidance of Director Extension and Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-J, Dr. KS Risam. The programme was sponsored by the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing, Jaipur.
Dr. Banarsi Lal, Scientist and Head of KVK, Reasi briefed the importance of efficient agricultural marketing and said that an efficient agricultural marketing system is the need of the era. He narrated that an efficient marketing system can raise the income levels of farmers. He stressed on the involvement of Self Help Groups(SHGs) and Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the marketing activities.He added that there is need to take the advantage of various banking schemes for the betterment of agricultural sector and society.He said that better marketing system helps in the adoption and spread of new technology among the farmers and farmers get more returns by selling their produce.He guided farmers on the management of monkeys menace.
Dr.Pawan Sharma, Scientist elaborated the agricultural marketing infrastructure scheme.He stressed on the storage facilities in the rural areas and discussed in length on the grading, standardisation and quality certification of agricultural produce. He emphasized on the value addition in different fruit crops by which the farmers can double their farm income. He discussed on the alternative and competitive marketing channels for the agricultural produce. He added that there is need to take the advantage of various banking schemes for the betterment of agricultural sector and society. Dr.Arvind Panjgotra, Assisstant Director Marketing narrated that an ideal marketing system gives remunerative prices of produce to consumers and uninterrupted supply of goods to the consumers at reasonable prices. Saurav Sangral, Asstt.Grading and Marketing Officer stressed on the grading and standardisation of agricultural produce. Dr.Suja Nabi Qureshi spoke on the post-harvest technologies in fruit crops.
The programme was co-ordinated by Chief Agriculture Officer, Satish Bhagat.
During the programme Lalit Upadhaya, Dr.Sanjay Kaushal, Dr. Arvinder Kumar, Jatinder Kaul, Anjana and others were also present. The farmers had a healthy interaction with the experts and clarify their quarries. The programme was concluded by Dr. Lalit Upadhaya of KVK, Reasi with formal vote of thanks.