Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)

Introduction

The Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Scheme is a government initiative aimed at empowering small and marginal farmers by organizing them into cooperatives or producer groups. The scheme facilitates better market access, improved bargaining power, and enhanced access to credit and technology.

Objectives

• To form and strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for collective farming and marketing.
• To improve the economic conditions of small and marginal farmers through aggregation of produce.
• To provide better access to inputs, credit, and technology.
• To enhance value addition and market linkage for agricultural products.

Benefits

• Collective Bargaining: Enhanced negotiating power for better pricing of produce.
• Market Access: Improved connectivity with institutional buyers and organized markets.
• Financial Support: Access to credit, subsidies, and government schemes.
• Capacity Building: Training and technical support in modern agricultural practices and management.
• Infrastructure Development: Support for establishing processing, storage, and logistics facilities.

Eligibility

Eligible Beneficiaries:

• Small and marginal farmers willing to organize into cooperatives or producer groups.
• Existing Farmer Producer Organizations looking to scale up their operations.
• Cooperative societies and rural groups involved in agricultural production.

Exclusions:

• Large commercial farms that operate independently of collective arrangements.
• Organizations not primarily focused on agriculture or the welfare of small and marginal farmers.

Application Process

1. Interested groups and organizations can apply online via the FPO official portal.
2. Applications are reviewed by the respective state agricultural or cooperative departments.
3. Approved FPOs receive support in terms of capacity building, credit facilitation, and market access initiatives.
4. Official Link: FPO Application Portal

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card (for identity verification of the applicants).
• Group Registration Documents (for existing cooperatives or FPOs).
• Land Ownership or Lease Documents (if applicable).
• Business Plan or Organizational Structure (detailing the proposed FPO model).
• Bank Account Details (for subsidy and financial support disbursement).