In an attempt to encourage them for their active participation in agriculture export business for the betterment of farmers belongs to Scheduled Cast (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (Scheduled Tribes), Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with NABARD, on Saturday organised one day workshop cum training programme for them at Gola in Ramgarh districts which is horticultural products hub.
Around 50 progressive farmers from adjoining areas of Gola and registered exporter from across the State participated and shared views on the occasion. In the meeting, apart from officers associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Agriculture Department were present. It was discussed in detail how to export green vegetables, fruits, rice and wheat being grown by the farmers of the block to other countries during the meeting.
Speaking as keynote speakers and progressive farmer, Birsa Agriculture University (BAU) Professor, BK Jha said that such kinds of programme is very necessary to increase farmers income because convergence of various agencies like APEDA, various departments of Government and private agencies brings many opportunities among farmers and they will certainly get more better opportunities to increase their income.
Jha said that Gola is known for vegetable production hub of the State and the farmers of the block grow different types of vegetables here by working hard, but due to various reasons and lack of market they are not getting proper price of their products. If the crops of the farmers are sold at the right price in the markets, then the economic condition of the farmers will improve, he added. He also demanded from APEDA to conduct an awareness campaign among the farmers at the earliest.
To benefit the farmers, the businessmen who came to participate in the meeting told that the framers of the block are growing crops and green vegetables in an organic way, its quality should be improved, care will have to be taken, only then it can be exported to other countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Regional In charge, APEDA, Sandeep Saha, informed about the purpose of the program and said that such programs are being organized to promote exports from the State. He said that the farmers of Jharkhand are very hardworking and they are working hard and growing a variety of vegetables, fresh fruits, food grains, honey and organic crops in their fields. Farmers are being made aware about exporting some of the major crops grown by them to other countries, he added.
Saha said that APEDA is primarily an export promotion organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and the main objective of this organization is to encourage export of major crops grown by the farmers.