The first edition of Tarang 2024 – Celebrating Collectivisation, an FPO Mela cum Exhibition being organized by NABARD Gujarat Regional Office (RO), in association with Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), during 23-27 February 2024, at Ahmedabad Haat, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, was inaugurated on 23 February 2024.

Shri Jethabhai Ahir, Deputy Speaker, Gujarat Legislative Assembly (centre), Shri B.K. Singhal, CGM, NABARD Gujarat RO (right) and Shri S.K. Gupta, CGM and Banking Ombudsman, RBI - Ahmedabad, at the inaugural programme.

The Chief Guest for the inaugural programme was Shri Jethabhai Ahir, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The inaugural programme was attended by Shri B.K. Singhal, Chief General Manager (CGM), NABARD Gujarat RO, Shri S.K. Gupta, CGM and Banking Ombudsman, RBI - Ahmedabad, senior officers from NABARD, and Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) sellers and buyers from various parts of India.

In his keynote address, the Chief Guest, Shri Jethabhai Ahir, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Gujarat Legislative Assembly, acknowledged the efforts of NABARD, SFAC and ONDC for coming together to provide farmers from Kashmir to Kerala, this prestigious platform for showcasing their products and augmenting their market linkage. Shri Jethabhai Ahir expressed happiness at the quality and range of products on display and exhorted the organizing institutions and buyers to spread the message of Tarang 2024 far and wide for maximum outreach of these artisanal and farmers’ products.

Audience at the inaugural programme, with the stalls by farmers and artisans in the background           

Shri S.K. Gupta, CGM and Banking Ombudsman, RBI - Ahmedabad, in his address appreciated the products on display at the stalls at Tarang 2024 and lauded NABARD’s, SFAC’s and ONDC’s contribution towards bringing together the richness and diversity of rural India through this platform. He described Tarang as a true celebration of the spirit of collectivization, aptly summarized through its tagline. Shri S.K. Gupta in his address, also touched upon augmenting banking and digital awareness of participating farmers and artisans in this day and age of digital marketing and e-commerce.

Shri B.K. Singhal, CGM, NABARD Gujarat RO, thanked the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and encouraging the participating FPOs with their presence. He explained that Tarang is a unique FPO-led exhibition cum sale event involving participation from 19 states across India, including Gujarat. Of the 90 stalls at Tarang, 37 stalls are related to artisanal or off-farm sector products, 40 stalls are related t0 NABARD, with 5 stalls related to millet or shree-anna-based products. Shri B.K. Singhal highlighted the significance of the Tarang 2024 in view of the sangam between NABARD, SFAC and ONDC. He noted that this sangam of NABARD and SFAC, that is, two premier national organisations involved in formation and promotion of FPOs, with ONDC’s digital platform that will lend sustainability and resilience to the market linkages of the participating FPOs. Finally, Shri B.K. Singhal lauded Tarang 2024 as a shining example of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “vocal for local”.

Shri Somainder Singh, General Manager, NABARD Gujarat RO, thanked the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and encouraged all buyers to support the artisans and farmers participating at Tarang 2024.

AP/GP/JD

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