Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In a significant development for Jharkhand’s agricultural and forest sectors, Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired the third meeting of the Siddho-Kanho Agriculture and Forest Produce State Cooperative Federation (Siddhokofed) Board of Directors on Tuesday. The meeting addressed several key agendas and received approval for various initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s agricultural and forest produce industries.
Chief Minister Soren directed that Siddhokofed should promote the production, collection, processing, research, and development of forest products through all appropriate measures. He emphasized the need for widespread dissemination of information about the cooperative to farmers, so they can benefit from its initiatives.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that all LAMPS (Large Area Multi-Purpose Societies) and PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) across the state are fully operational to maximize benefits for farmers. He also called for a concerted effort to register all unregistered farmers with these institutions, including necessary repairs and maintenance of LAMPS-PACS buildings.
Soren highlighted the potential of Jharkhand’s unique forest products, such as lac, tamarind, kodo, kutki, and others, in the global market. He called for the implementation of geo-tagging and value addition processes to enhance market access and ensure that producers gain appropriate benefits.
Acknowledging the impact of climate change on traditional farming, Soren urged for the provision of training in alternative agriculture methods. He stressed the importance of integrating forest products into farming practices and providing resources to support farmers in adverse conditions.
The Chief Minister also suggested exploring the inclusion of kendu leaf in Siddhokofed’s purview to benefit the workers involved in its production. He recommended that the newly constructed cooperative training center at Phudi be managed professionally and potentially collaborate with national cooperative institutions for vocational courses to enhance skill development and employment opportunities.
Soren directed that honey collectors receive proper training and be organized into groups linked with Siddhokofed. He proposed partnerships with major companies to ensure fair pricing and high-quality honey in the global market.
The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Mrs. Deepika Pandey Singh, Chief Secretary Mr. Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary of Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Mrs. Vandana Dadhel, Secretary of Agriculture Mr. Abu Bakar Siddique, and several other senior officials, including Siddhokofed Director and CEO Mr. Umashankar Singh, and JSLPS CEO Mr. Sandeep Singh.
