Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Sept 14: The inauguration ceremony of International Online-Training programme titled “Agriculture Value Chain Analysis for Strengthening Smallholders” (AARDO) being organized by IIM Jammu, took place virtually on today. The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General, AARDO, Prof. B S Sahay, Director IIM Jammu and Dr. S M Ovais, Head, Capacity Building and Development projects, AARDO, Prof. Jabir Ali and Prof. Ateeque Shaikh, Programme Directors, IIM Jammu.
The training programme has received overwhelming response with 35 participants from 17 different countries of Asia and Africa.
The programme enables discussion around the identification of major constraints across the value chain related to fragmentation in input supply, inefficient production practices, lack of post-harvest management, market access restrictions, weak infrastructures, lack of resources, and ineffective institutional arrangements.
On one hand the programme highlights the importance of integration of smallholders into value chains to ensure higher and fairer income to the small holders, and on the other hand develops a suitable policy framework for reducing the obstacles of all the stakeholders.
The programme focuses on capacity building of the Middle- Level / Govt./Parastatal Officials in the field of value chain development/ agriculture/agribusiness from the AARDO member countries, who are endowed with the responsibility of setting up good management practices in agribusiness systems.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Programme Director, welcomed the 35 participants from the AARDO member countries and introduced them to the fledgling IIM Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu emphasized that IIM Jammu will continue to organize international training programme for corporate executives as well as policy makers. He also emphasized the importance of international training programme which enables cross-cultural learning for policy design and programme implementation for small holders.
Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh emphasized the importance of building partners with academic institutions like IIM Jammu to develop capacity building amongst the member countries of AARDO. AARDO as an institution has been continuously focusing on the Sustainable Development goals of United Nations. AARDO’s continues to focus in enabling member countries policy makers to ensure that the constraints that smallholders face are overcome through market linkage and access, efficient production and harvesting practices, creating farmers institutions and enabling credit access to the small holders.
Dr. S M Ovais, Head, Capacity Building and Building Projects, discussed the history of the formation of AARDO and the various activities AARDO takes in 33 member countries of African and Asia. Prof. Ateeque Shaikh delivered the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the inauguration event.
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