Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan has reiterated the government’s commitment to promote Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the State.
After presenting the Karshakamitra awards instituted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here on Tuesday, he called for steps to institutionalise mechanisms like farmer clubs to promote peer learning and knowledge sharing among cultivators.
The Green Earth Farmers’ Club, Malappuram; Neeloor Farmers Club, Kottayam; and Kelakam Farmers Club, Kannur; won the first, second and third prize respectively. Thenhipalam Service Cooperative Bank, Malappuram; Neeloor Service Cooperative Bank, Kottayam; and Kerala Gramin Bank were also presented with awards for promoting the clubs.
Appreciating the role played by NABARD for the development of agriculture in Kerala, Mr. Mohanan hoped the farmer clubs would grow into federations and FPOs.
N. Ramesh, General Manager, NABARD, Kerala Regional Office, inaugurated the event. Nirmal Chand, Regional Director, RBI; U. Ramesh Kumar, convener, State Level Bankers Committee, Kerala; and officials from various banks and farmers were present during the occasion.
