More than 150 farmers and co-operators participated to celebrate Golden Jubilee of Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on July 12 at Hotel Grand Dragon in Leh.

Dr. U.S Awasthi, Managing Director IFFCO said that IFFCO dedicates its success to the farmers and co-operators in this Golden Jubilee Year with an aim to have direct dialogue with them by organising meetings in around 125 places in different part of the country. 

He said that their conviction is to work for the welfare of the farmers and provide them with maximum benefit by ensuring high income and low expenditure. He gave assurance to address the problems faced by farmers and co-operators in Leh and also to provide employment with the condition of hard work.

 

Dr. Awasti informed about the launch of Indian Cooperative Digital Platform by way of IFFCO Bazar to bring its members and farmers on one platform for exchange of ideas, knowledge and information dissemination as well as for exploring the youth and women across the country to be part of the cooperative movement. 

 

Talking about the high quality production of Pashmina in Ladakh, he urged the growers, farmers and co-operators to become a member of IFFCO and avail various benefits. 

He appealed the farmers to revive and use traditional methods to protect crops and plants from pests and insects and also ensured to support soil test in Leh, for achieving the vision of turning Ladakh into organic farming.   

Speaking on the occasion, EC Agriculture said that Council’s vision of making Leh district organic in farming seems to have initiated with reputed companies like IFFCO extending its cooperation through its organic based products. 

He said Ladakh is 70-80% dependent on agriculture which makes it imperative to improve and promote agriculture for sustainable development. He added that it is also council’s effort to generate interest among educated youths in advance farming considering employment crisis.

Sonam Nurboo, DRC highlighted the effective role of cooperative societies and cooperative services aiming at income generation of farmers in Leh district.  He requested MD IFFCO to look into possibilities to join Leh with Cooperative State Management, insurance benefit for farmers, and to reduce the burden of interest over loans for long period storage of fertilizers.

 

Shakti Singh, State Marketing Manager J&K, Yogender Kumar, Sr. G.M (Marketing), Avinash, CAO Leh and Zahoor Vani also spoke on the occasion.

 

Best performing co-operators and progressive farmers were also honoured on the occasion.