NABARD Chairman visits completed RIDF projects

Bhubaneswar, Sep 18: The Chairman of NABARD, Dr. G.R. Chintala visited the newly constructed OMFED Automated Dairy Processing Plant project supported under RIDF of NABARD. During his visit MD, OMFED also interacted with Chairman NABARD. Later in the day, Chairman NABARD inaugurated the State Level Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Conclave – 2021 organized by NABARD Odisha Regional Office in Bhubaneswar and more than 100 FPOs/ OFPOs had participated in the meeting. During the interaction, he stressed that FPOs have to increase their volume of business, turnover and profit to remain sustainable on a long term basis. Democratic governance is the essence of FPO and therefore all FPOs have to follow the good governance practices. He also opined that the benefits should reach to the last member of the FPO. MD, NABKISAN also participated in the meeting. NABKISAN is a subsidiary of NABARD which provides credit linkage to FPOs. Susheela Chintala addressing the gathering mentioned that FPOs should be judicious in spending their limited resources and avail credit from NABKISAN and it should help them to increase their turnover and financial health. During the meeting, 10 FPOs have been selected and they are provided with transport vehicles for transporting their produce to the market wherein 50% of the cost was subsidized through NABARD grant. This would enable the FPOs to improve their business operations in their areas and reach to the new market. Chairman, NABARD & MD, NABKISAN jointly presented the keys of vehicles to the FPOs.All the FPOs indicated that they would work hard to improve their turnover, financials, share capitals and follow the democratic governance process in the FPO management. The meeting ended with handing over of sanction letters and keys of vehicles to the FPOs. Further, NABARD also supports Off Farm Producer Organization (OFPO) to support the weavers and artisans and large number of weavers participated in the Conclave and their products were displayed.