Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) are playing a vital role in the success of agrarian heroes

Primarily known for its agricultural sector, India’s economy highly depends on this sector. Agriculture has been providing a livelihood to millions of farmers and will continue to do so. However, FPO i.e Farmer Producer Organizations have been a helping hand to these farmers as they have helped the farmers with better bargaining power and to create a more transparent agri-market.

Recently, the inaugural edition of Samunnati and The Economic Times Farmer Producer Organisations Summit & Awards brought and felicitated India’s agrarian heroes at a day-long event held in New Delhi on 18th October 2019. This event witnessed contributions from experts of government and industry bodies delve into the many policy changes and innovations needed to attain sustainability and gain optimal benefits for farmer shareholders, in addition to analyzing existing industry FPO models, and providing financial solutions to farmers.

Renowned personalities who graced the stage at the event included Dr. Ashok Dalwai, Chairperson & CEO, Committee for Doubling Farmer’s Income & National Rainfed Area Authority; Neelkamal Darbari, IAS, MD, Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC); and Anil Kumar S.G., Founder and CEO, Samunnati. This initiative was a platform for FPOs and key stakeholders to celebrate the community’s successes in a gala awards ceremony that rewarded the performance of the strongest FPOs and its enablers from across the country.

The following is the list of top honours as per decided by an eminent jury:

Best FPO Leader – North Region – Samridhi Mahila Crop Producer Company

Best Governance Mechanism – North Region – Sakhi Mahila Milk Producer Company

Best Impact – North Region – Navjyoti Kishan Producer Company

Best Performance – North Region – Vikash Path Farmer Producer Company

Best FPO Leader – South Region – Holur Horticulture Farmers Producer Company

Best FPO Friendly Private Sector Company – National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange

Best Governance Mechanism – South Region – Shanthi Sagara Horticulture Farmers Producer Company

Best Impact – South Region – Ramanar Millets Farmers Producer Company

Best Performance – South Region – Kamareddy Progressive Farmers Producer Company

Best FPO Leader – West Region – Neshkala Crop Producer Company

Best Governance Mechanism – West Region – Vikas Agro Producer Company

Best Impact – West Region – Maikal Women Poultry Producer Company

Best Performance – West Region – Avantika Aatm Nirbher Krashak Producer Company

Best FPO Leader – East Region – Bhangar Vegetable Producer Company

Best Governance Mechanism – East Region – Nabajagaran Global Farmer Producer Company

Best Impact – East Region – Harit Kranti Aadiwasi Sahkari Samiti Maryadit Bagicha

Best Performance – East Region – Damodar Agro Producer Company

Best FPO Friendly Private Sector Company – ADM Agro Industries India

Best NGO and Research Institute Supporting FPOs – Vrutti Livelihood Partners

Best NGO and Research Institute Supporting FPOs – Indian Grameen Services

Contributing to Outstanding Farmers’ Skill Development Recognizes Social Education Economical Development Society

Contributing to Outstanding Farmers’ Skill Development Recognizes Krushak Mitra Agro Services

Best Agritech Start-up – Dehaat

Jury Special Award – Lamaten Tingmoo Organic Grower’s Cooperative Society

Special Award for Outstanding Contribution in Agri Value Chain (International) – Olam Agro India

For ensuring the success and development of smallholder and marginal farmers in India, the success and role of farmer organizations are critical and FPOs will continue to blossom as an aggregator of aspirations for millions of farmers within the country. This Summit and Awards aim to recognize enabling entities laying the foundations of future growth, and in the process taking major steps to contribute to the agrarian sector.