A state-level conference aimed at strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and expanding their role in agricultural business was held in Bhopal. The event brought together representatives of around 300 FPOs from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh at the State Agricultural Extension and Training Centre (SIET), Barkhedi Kalan, Bhopal. The conference highlighted how FPOs can move beyond primary production by focusing on processing, value addition, and branding and market linkages. Representatives also shared practical experiences of building businesses around agricultural products and creating better market opportunities for farmers.
The state-level conference was attended by representatives of around 300 Farmer Producer Organizations from different districts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The programme was chaired by D.L. Kori, Director of SIET and Additional Director of the Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Department. FPO representatives shared their experiences and discussed efforts to connect farmers and agricultural products with organized markets. During the programme, 13 FPOs were also honoured for their notable work in different areas.
The Damoh Mahila Farmer Producer Organization is working across the mushroom value chain, including production, processing and marketing. Its work demonstrates how farmer organizations can create additional value by developing activities beyond farm-level production and establishing stronger market connections.
Mandsaur Agro Industry is engaged in producing and marketing fibre from linseed/flax stalks. The initiative provides an example of how agricultural residues can be utilized to create value-added products and potentially open up additional business opportunities around farm-based resources.
Korba's Pali FPO: Building a Turmeric Value Chain:
The Pali FPO from Korba, Chhattisgarh, is working on the production, processing and marketing of turmeric. By focusing on processing and marketing alongside cultivation, the FPO is developing a value-chain approach that can help farmers participate in activities beyond the sale of raw agricultural produce.
Farmer Representatives Share Their Experiences:
Farmer representatives from different districts discussed their experiences with FPO-led activities and market-oriented agriculture. During the conference, Berasia farmer leaders Padam Singh Thakur and Ashok Patel, along with Madhya Bharat Chairman Punnulal Nanda, shared their views. Discussions covered areas such as collective production, agricultural input procurement, processing, marketing and connecting farmers with organized markets.
FPOs Set a Business Target of Over ₹300 Crore:
During the programme, Yogesh Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Madhya Bharat Consortium, approved the annual plan for 2026–27. A combined annual business target of more than ₹300 crore has been set for the participating Farmer Producer Organizations during the current year. The target places greater emphasis on expanding FPO activities into processing, value addition, branding and market linkages, rather than limiting their role to agricultural production.
FPOs Expected to Play a Greater Role in Agricultural Business:
Addressing the gathering, Yogesh Dwivedi said that Farmer Producer Organizations are expected to have an increasingly significant role in the GDP of both the state and the country in the coming years. FPOs can bring farmers together for collective production, agricultural input procurement, processing, storage, branding and marketing. Such collective approaches can help create stronger market connections and new business opportunities, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
Focus on Value Addition and Market Linkages:
The Bhopal conference highlighted the growing importance of building market-oriented FPO business models. Examples such as mushroom processing and marketing, fibre production from flax stalks and turmeric value-chain development demonstrate how farmer organizations can explore processing and value addition alongside traditional farming.
With a business target of more than ₹300 crore for 2026–27, the focus will be on strengthening FPO operations across production, processing, branding and marketing while creating stronger links between farmers and markets.
FAQs:
1. What was the main focus of the FPO conference in Bhopal?
The conference focused on strengthening FPOs through processing, value addition, branding, marketing and better market linkages.
2. How many FPOs participated in the Bhopal conference?
Representatives from around 300 FPOs from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh participated in the conference.
3. What is the FPO business target for 2026–27?
The participating FPOs have set a combined annual business target of more than ₹300 crore for 2026–27.
4. What activities can FPOs undertake beyond farming?
FPOs can work in processing, storage, value addition, branding, input procurement and marketing of agricultural products.
5. How can FPOs benefit farmers?
FPOs can help farmers work collectively, improve market connections, participate in value addition and explore better business opportunities around agricultural products.
