In a major initiative aimed at strengthening local farmers and cooperative institutions, promoting livelihoods in border areas, and ensuring the supply of fresh produce to security personnel, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP), North West Frontier (NWF), and the Department of Cooperatives, UT Ladakh, on May 27.

The MoU will facilitate the procurement and supply of essential food items and allied products through local Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), thereby providing assured market linkages for their produce.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Inspector General, ITBP NWF, Laxman Yadav, and Secretary, Cooperatives, UT Ladakh, Bhanu Prabha, in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena. The MoU has initially been signed for a period of three years.

The initiative is expected to address one of the key challenges faced by farmers in Ladakh — the lack of stable markets for their produce, which often results in financial losses. The move aligns with the vision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has directed the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to procure local agricultural and handicraft products through cooperative institutions to generate employment and promote economic self-reliance in border regions.

Under the arrangement, ITBP has earmarked an initial allocation of ₹21 lakh during the current financial year for the procurement of vegetables and allied products through registered cooperative societies, FPOs, and PACS in Ladakh.

Describing the initiative as a historic step, Lieutenant Governor Saxena said the MoU would economically empower local cooperative institutions and residents of Ladakh, particularly those living in border areas, while also strengthening local supply chains.

“The ₹21 lakh allocation by ITBP for the procurement of vegetables and allied products is a good beginning. This initiative will encourage farmers in border villages to cultivate more vegetables, improve their livelihoods, and strengthen local economic activity. Greenhouses being developed under the Vibrant Village Programme will further help farmers increase vegetable production, which can directly supply fresh produce to ITBP personnel deployed in remote areas,” Saxena said.

The Lieutenant Governor further observed that the initiative would contribute to reverse migration in border villages by creating livelihood opportunities and strengthening rural economies.

The MoU establishes a structured institutional mechanism for the procurement of locally produced agricultural, horticultural, livestock, and dairy products through cooperative institutions functioning under the administrative control of the Additional Registrar, Cooperative Societies, UT Ladakh.

The arrangement is expected to create assured market linkages for local producers and enhance the financial sustainability of cooperative institutions operating in remote areas.