JKTPO, Invest India (DPIIT) organise Organic Certification program for Garlic growers under ODOP-DEH at Kulgam
SRINAGAR, APRIL 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), as part of its efforts to promote ODOP products in Jammu and Kashmir and enhance their export potential organised a workshop and awareness program at Auditorium Hall of DC Office Kulgam.
This program, held under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), focused on obtaining organic certification for Garlic, an ODOP product of Kulgam District.
The JKTPO is continuously striving to build capacity and facilitate value addition through various interventions and create market linkages for fetching better remuneration for farmers/ entrepreneurs/artisans.
More than 100 garlic farmers from various parts of Kulgam district participated in the event, with a larger number anticipated to seek organic certification. On-the-spot registration for organic certification was completed for 50 farmers growing garlic.
JKTPO intends to replicate such initiatives in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir to raise awareness about NPOP among producers.
The workshop was also attended by the District Agriculture Officer, Kulgam, District Subject Matter Expert Agriculture, government officials, Garlic growers, representatives from JKTPO, Invest India, and the certifying agency Aditi Organic Certifications Pvt Ltd.
This initiative is a collaboration with the Invest India, DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) sets standards for organic production, promotes organic farming and marketing.
The workshop’s objective was to deliver certification and training to farmers who are already involved in producing organic Garlic, but lack the necessary certification to authenticate their products. This initiative is aligned with JKTPO’s mandate to promote ODOP-DEH products in Jammu and Kashmir and raise awareness among garlic growers.
The workshop emphasized the importance of boosting organic garlic production in the region to meet market demands, upgrading packaging /Storage etc to align with global standards, which is expected to increase demand and contribute to the enhanced income of garlic growing farmers of the region.