Sagam Mushkbudji become first FPO get import/ export license

Anantnag, July 10: Sagam Mushk budji Farmers Producers Company Limited (FPCL), an FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) promoted in Sagam Area of Anantnag under NABARDs PODF Scheme has achieved the milestone of being the first FPO in UT to get the import Export License.
The FPO was incorporated as Farmers Producers Company in July 2019 with the aim to promote the scented variety of rice and help its marketing and sale across the country.
With FPO now having its own import and export license, the Mushk Budji farmers will now have access to global markets and this will fetch them a very good price, said Rouf Zargar, District Development Manager (DDM) NABARD.
Corporates and bulk buyers are looking to do business with FPOs instead of individual farmers. Only the FPOs have the ability to trade the commodities in bulk as there are hundreds of farmers linked to an FPO with minimum interference from the middlemen, said DDM NABARD.
Mushkbudji rice has also been listed among the 09 products of JK and Leh to get GI tagging, Zargar added.
The FPO has received focused attention from the Agriculture department since its formation by way of benefits under the various FPO specific schemes of the Agriculture department. Besides, the District Administration is in the process of allotting land to FPO for establishment of a rice mill in Sagam area.
This FPO currently has the membership of more than 200 Mushkbudji farmers, who sell the major portion of their produce directly through the FPO. The FPO also participated in the recent Gulf Investment summit in Srinagar and evinced interest of various investors from UAE and other countries.