SRINAGAR: Reaffirming its commitment to empower the farming community through improved financial access and capacity building, JK Bank today organised a Capacity Building and Orientation Workshop for Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) at its corporate headquarters in Srinagar. The initiative was conducted in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM) under the Umeed project.
JK-Bank-workshop-with-FPOs
The event was chaired by JK Bank’s Deputy General Manager (Credit) Rakesh Magotra and attended by DGM Suhail Lone, Project Manager JKRLM Zubair Hassan, representatives from various FPOs across the Kashmir region, and senior officials of the Bank. Mission Director JKRLM Shubra Sharma addressed the workshop virtually.
Lauding the initiative, Shubra Sharma said, “The progress of FPOs is being closely tracked by the Government of J&K, and the Chief Secretary himself is keen to ensure their sustained growth through accessible and affordable credit. I congratulate J&K Bank for proactively engaging with farmers and supporting their transition towards greater self-reliance.”
She further urged FPO members to fully utilise government-backed credit schemes and adopt modern farming practices to enhance productivity and incomes. “JKRLM will continue to guide and support FPOs, aligned with the Government’s broader vision of rural empowerment,” she added.
Speaking to participants, DGM Rakesh Magotra emphasised the critical role of FPOs in advancing the agricultural economy of the region. “FPOs enable farmers to access timely and adequate credit, market linkages, and other institutional support. At J&K Bank, we are fully committed to making finance both accessible and affordable so that agriculture and allied sectors can grow holistically,” he said.
Magotra also announced that this was the third such workshop organised by the Bank and that a similar workshop for FPOs from the Jammu division is scheduled shortly. “We have developed a dedicated financial product tailored specifically for FPOs, addressing both working capital and long-term investment needs. Additionally, schemes like HADP, PMFME, and the National Livestock Mission offer robust financial support for diversification,” he noted.
DGM Suhail Lone reassured attendees of the Bank’s continued commitment to rural prosperity. “This collaborative workshop with JKRLM is designed to help FPOs better understand the wide range of schemes, products, and services available to support their growth,” he said.
The interactive session featured detailed presentations on financial products, credit linkage mechanisms, and government-sponsored initiatives tailored to the unique requirements of FPOs. Participants appreciated the initiative, calling it a timely and much-needed intervention to strengthen the region’s agricultural ecosystem and enable farmers to scale operations collectively.
The workshop concluded with a shared resolve to intensify outreach and financial literacy among FPOs, ensuring that farming collectives become key drivers of economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
