India’s successful launch of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) marks a transformative milestone in agricultural empowerment and rural economic growth.
About the 10,000th FPO:
- Landmark 10,000th FPO: Established in Khagaria, Bihar, focusing on maize, banana, and paddy cultivation
- Launched by: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 19th PM-KISAN installment release in Bhagalpur, Bihar
- Total Budget: ₹6,865 crore (2020-2027)
- Total Farmers Involved: 30 lakh, with 40% women participation
- FPO Business Impact: Engaging in business worth thousands of crores
Financial & Institutional Support:
- Equity Grants Disbursed: ₹254.4 crore to 4,761 FPOs
- Credit Guarantee Cover: ₹453 crore for 1,900 FPOs
- Financial Assistance per FPO: ₹18 lakh over three years
- Matching Equity Grant: Up to ₹15 lakh per FPO
- Credit Guarantee Facility: Up to ₹2 crore
- Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF): To ensure institutional credit access
Digital & Market Integration:
- 5,000 FPOs onboarded on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) for direct online sales
- MoU with CSC SPV: 10,000 FPOs to be converted into Common Services Centres (CSCs), enabling rural employment and digital services
Significance
- Strengthens small & marginal farmers by enhancing collective bargaining power
- Improves access to quality inputs, technology, and institutional credit
- Boosts market access & digital inclusion through ONDC & CSC integration
- Empowers women in agriculture, with 40% representation in FPOs
(Source: PIB)
