Create awareness on co-op societies, says Mandi DC

Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan emphasised the need to raise awareness among people about forming cooperative societies to enhance their economic activities through cooperative means. Currently, there are 238 primary agriculture service cooperatives, 205 dairy cooperatives and five fisheries cooperatives registered in Mandi district.

Addressing a meeting of the District Cooperative Development Committee yesterday, the DC highlighted the potential for employment in fisheries and urged the committee members to connect individuals involved in fishery with cooperative societies.

‘Potential for jobs in fisheries’

• The DC highlighted the potential for employment in fisheries and urged the committee members to connect individuals involved in fishery with cooperative societies.

He encouraged the production of new food products beyond traditional fish-based items to facilitate easier sales.

The DC also said local products from the district were marketed under the brand ‘Mandav’, but these were only available at fairs or local markets, and not online.

He directed all departments to coordinate and develop an online platform for marketing products from cooperative societies and self-help groups. Additionally, he suggested them to explore the possibility of opening outlets along the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway, as it witnessed heavy traffic.

He said with proper packaging and branding, products from self-help groups and cooperative societies could benefit from increased visibility and sales.

The meeting was attended by members, including District Cooperative Development Committee Coordinator and Assistant Registrar of Cooperatives (Mandi) Vikram Jeet, Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry Atul Puri, Assistant Director of Fisheries Neetu Singh, NABARD DDM Rakesh Verma, District Controller of Food Supply Vijay Singh Hamlal, HPSCB AGMs Umesh Kumar and Pankaj Sharma, among others.