NAMSAI : A three-day Capacity Building Programme on Geographical Indications (GI) and Post-GI Initiatives for Livelihood commenced at Hotel Namlau in Namsai on Wednesday.
The programme is being organised by the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD), Kolkata, the apex training institute of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and will continue till June 19.
Designed for representatives of NGOs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Organic Farmer Producer Organisations (OFPOs) and other stakeholders engaged in GI-related activities, the programme has drawn participants from various districts of Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring Assam.
Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom inaugurated the programme in the presence of Namsai District Planning Officer Dr. Keshab Sarmah, NABARD Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand, BIRD Kolkata Faculty Member-cum-Programme Director Dr. Bhawana Pal, NABARD Assistant General Manager (District Development) Kamal Roy and other stakeholders associated with GI initiatives.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Bhawana Pal highlighted the significance of GI and post-GI interventions in promoting sustainable livelihoods, strengthening value chains and enhancing market opportunities for local producers and artisans.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Keshab Sarmah emphasised the need to increase production of GI products to meet growing market demand. Referring to Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice), he said that while obtaining GI registration is a major achievement, commercial success depends on scaling up production without compromising quality. He also cited the success of the Namsai Fresh brand, noting that effective branding and promotion have significantly boosted demand for locally produced ghee.
NABARD Deputy General Manager Vivek Anand outlined the institution’s efforts in facilitating GI registration and supporting post-GI initiatives, including capacity building, branding, packaging, quality standardisation, market linkages and awareness on Intellectual Property Rights to improve producers’ incomes.
In his inaugural address, MLA Namchoom lauded NABARD and BIRD Kolkata for organising the programme in Arunachal Pradesh. He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to promoting GI products and stressed the need to strengthen cooperatives and producer institutions for value addition, branding and marketing.
Earlier, Kamal Roy delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to BIRD Kolkata, resource persons and participants. He also shared success stories of NABARD’s interventions in rural livelihood promotion and value-chain development in the district.
The training programme will feature technical sessions on GI registration, post-GI interventions, branding, marketing, Intellectual Property Rights and successful case studies from across the country, providing participants with practical insights to strengthen GI-based livelihoods. (DIPR)
