Training programme on “FPOs Formation and Institutional Arrangements for Sustainable Management of SWC Interventions” was organized during 12-14 December 2023 for 25 farmers from 10 different villages of Pathankot district of Punjab. This training was sponsored by Divisional Soil Conservation Officer (Training Institute), SAS Nagar, Mohali, Punjab. The training was aimed at to enhance the knowledge of Officers/ Farmers/ User Groups on formation of FPOs so as to enhance the income of farming community and creation of community institutions for sustainable management of soil and water conservation interventions.

On this occasion this programme, Dr. M. Madhu, Director of the Institute motivated the farmers for creating FPOs and emphasized on smart marketing tactics. He urged that farmers should take full benefits from Govt. organizations in their area. Dr. Charan Singh, Head presented the training report and made farmers aware about the benefits of FPOs. The training schedule was comprised of various lectures on the topics such as principles of soil and water conservation, agroforestry-based soil and water conservation measures, FPOs formation, linkage development and marketing. Besides, field visits to successful FPO models at Shahpur, Kalyanpur, Block Vikasnagar and Growth Centre, Thano, Block Raipur, Dehradun were also organized where farmers interacted with the FPOs officer bearers and member farmers.

They were made aware about process of FPOs formation, its registration and other relevant activities. Under institutional arrangement, visit to participatory water resource development at Pasauli/ Langha, Block Vikasnagar and Kalimati, Block Raipur, Dehradun was organized. The training was ended with certificate distribution. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Abimanyu Jhajhria, Sh. Suresh Kumar, Sh. K. R. Joshi and Sh. Dharampal under the guidance of Dr. Charan Singh, Course Director of the programme. Apart from this, Dr. Lekh Chand, Dr. Matber Singh Rana, Dr. Indu Rawat, Mr. Anil Chauhan, Mr. Naresh Lal, Mr. Mohit Gupta, Ms. Neha Chotala and Ms. Akanksha Verma from HRD and Social Sciences Department contributed for the successful organization of the program.