New Delhi: In a momentous event scheduled for July 14th, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, will grace the inauguration of a day-long mega conclave in New Delhi. The primary focus of this conclave is to fortify Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) through the utilization of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). Experts from the sector, as well as FPO members from across the nation, will participate in this gathering, facilitating discussions on strengthening PACS through FPOs.

The National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Cooperation, is organizing this grand conclave. FPOs, being collective entities formed by farmers, hold significant potential in agricultural transformation by enabling resource pooling and enhancing farmers' bargaining power. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" and under the dynamic leadership of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, a recent decision was made to establish 1,100 new FPOs in the Cooperative Sector.

The Ministry of Cooperation, in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has taken a noteworthy step towards achieving this objective. Additional blocks have been allocated to the NCDC under the scheme to strengthen PACS and promote 1,100 FPOs in the Cooperative Sector, thereby bolstering the cooperative sector and providing comprehensive support to small and marginal farmers. Each FPO receives financial assistance of Rs 33 lakh under the FPOs Scheme, while Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) receive Rs 25 lakh per FPO for promoting and mentoring the FPOs.

FPOs play a vital role in fostering sustainable farming practices, promoting livelihoods, and improving the overall quality of life for those dependent on agriculture. They facilitate access to better prices, reduce transportation costs, and enhance overall productivity for small and marginal farmers/producers. The government emphasizes the integration of PACS into the FPO scheme, allowing farmers to expand their business activities, including the supply of production inputs, agricultural equipment, processing, value addition, and efficient handling of operations such as cleaning, assaying, sorting, grading, packing, storage, and transportation.

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