Bolstering farmer collectives in Tamil Nadu takes center stage as the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry forms a high-level expert committee. Tasked with evaluating FPO operations, suggesting expansions, and refining outreach, this body promises systemic upgrades for these grassroots enterprises.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Erode interactions, spotlighting operational snags, technical deficits, and market roadblocks plaguing FPOs. The ministry’s prompt response manifests in this committee, greenlit to deliver in-depth studies and reform blueprints.
A multi-stakeholder powerhouse, the committee draws from NABARD’s rural finance prowess, NAFED’s cooperative strengths, SFAF-Tamil Nadu’s local know-how, ICAR-NRCB’s banana research, active FPO members, NGOs, and government specialists. Their remit covers governance efficacy, business models for longevity, tech and extension aid, collection-value chain hurdles, marketing strategies, and skill development imperatives.
Recommendations will champion next-gen operational frameworks, cutting-edge tech assistance, integrated institutional frameworks, and dynamic market engagements. Tamil Nadu’s agricultural heavyweights—banana, turmeric, coconut, tapioca—and organic systems will receive focused attention.
Slated for a two-month tenure, the panel submits to the department, with ICAR-ATARI Hyderabad orchestrating via NRCB Tiruchirapalli and KVK partnerships for on-ground assessments and reporting logistics.
In an era where FPOs are pivotal to doubling farmer incomes, this committee could catalyze transformative change. By fortifying these organizations, India edges closer to inclusive, market-driven agriculture, empowering millions of smallholders with sustainable livelihoods.