LUDHIANA,

A two-day training course on “Formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Use of Electronic Media for Transfer of Technology in Agriculture” began at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. A total of 42 Agriculture and Horticulture Development Officers, district extension specialists and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras are participating in the course.

The first day saw lectures by PAU experts on formation of farm producer organizations, financial planning and marketing strategies for FPOs, new product development and its branding and packaging, operationalizing and sustaining FPOs, and role of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in formation of FPOs. Further, experts would delve upon extension strategies for linking farmers to market, effects of goods and service tax (GST) on agriculture, communication through electronic media, use of information and communication technology tools in agriculture, and skill development of rural youths. Dr T.S. Riar and Dr Kulvir Kaur are course coordinators, whereas, Dr Khushdeep Dharni and Dr Lavleesh Garg are technical coordinators.