‘Punjab Chair’ of ‘Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan’ (An initiative of ‘Swadeshi Jagran Manch’) organised a Seminar on ‘Agri Business and Farmers Producers Organisation’ on 23rd March, 2024 in Hotel Krishna Continental, Bathinda, Punjab. The inaugural session of the event started with lighting of the auspicious lamp by the dignitaries. At the outset, Mr. Gursewak Singh Brar welcomed and introduced the guests to the audience. Dr. Rajinder Singh, coordinator of the Punjab Chair and the seminar, appraised the audience with the objectives of ‘Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan’. He said that ‘Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan’ is a research wing of ‘Swadeshi Jagran Manch’ which is involved in research on various issues and provides inputs which helps in policy formation. He also highlighted the objectives of the seminar on ‘Agri Business and FPO’.
Shri Satish Kumar Ji, Akhil Bhartiya Seh Sangathak, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, during his address highlighted the importance of Swadeshi and role of ‘Swadeshi Jagran Manch’ in the promotion of Swadeshi, specially in the field of agriculture and MSME. He said that Bharat is on its way of being self-reliant in many sectors. Many products which earlier we used to import from China and other countries, now are being produced in Bharat itself. He said that farmers will have to adopt new techniques in agriculture and get the benefits of Govt schemes in order to increase their income. He stressed on the importance of FPOs in this direction.
Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Chairman, Kissan Gurukul delivered his talk on the topic ‘Sahkarita ate Kheti Sambhawnawan’ (Cooperation and Possibilities in Agriculture). He also shared his experiences with the audience and motivated the farmers to adopt FPO model instead of traditional ways of farming. He also explained the process of formation of FPOs and various incentives and subsidies given by the Govt in this regard. Mr. Gurcharan Singh Maan, Chairman, Tungwali Honey Bee Processing Cooperative Ltd., shared his experience in the field of bee farming under ‘Safurti Yojna’. He said that not only he is earning well, but is also providing direct and indirect employment to more than 1000 persons through his venture.
In the second session Mr Rajkumar spoke about his Goat farming venture and Mr. Jasveer Singh of Pind B Millets shared his journey of Millet Bakery Startup. All the speakers answered the questions of audience and gave solutions to their problems. In the last session CA Arun Goyal discussed various Govt schemes on FPOs and Agri Business. He also solved the queries of farmers who are currently working or are planning to work on FPOs. He stressed on the need of accurate and adequate documentation to avoid any difficulty or harassment.
Mr. Gursewak Singh Brar spoke on the importance of Cooperation (Sehkarita) in the field of agriculture. He stressed that small farmers should avoid owning the farm equipment individually, rather a group of small farmers should have farm equipment on sharing basis. This would help in reducing the cost and consequently increasing the income of small farmers. Mr. Gyan Prakash Goyal and Mr. Vineet Handa also expressed their views on Agri Business and FPOs.
In the end Shri Satish Kumar Ji gave the concluding remarks and declared the seminar as a strong and necessary step in the direction of making agriculture profitable for the farmers of Punjab. He said that farmers will have to come out of the traditional ways of farming and think like a businessman. He promised that ‘Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan’ will continue to work and help in this field.
The seminar ended with vote of thanks.
