Farmer Producer Organisation: The Need of the Moment

The inaugural edition of Samunnati and The Economic Times Farmer Producer Organizations Summit & Awards held in New Delhi, October 18, 2019, saw a conglomeration of farmers and FPOS  which is actually the need of the moment. The summit focused on different aspects of Farmer Centric Growth. Different stakeholders came together to discuss how a farmer can become an entrepreneur, with better working knowledge and reach, thereby generating better returns on the yield.

The format for the Summit was “Appreciative Inquiries – Discover, Dream, Design, Deliver”. Appreciative inquiries focused on the best of the organizations, whether it is an individual or a collective. Furthermore, it also looked at how to grow the FPO while recognizing its best. The Summit witnessed 250+ delegates comprising MDs & CEOs of FPOs, NGOs,  and representatives from leading and emerging facilities, Industry Associations, Sector Experts, Government representatives, Policymakers, Agri-tech companies, Startups associated with FPOs across India, coming together to discuss the growth and the future of agriculture. The summit witnessed some of the eminent speakers to grace the stage 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.

Summit provided us all an opportunity to identify the performance of the strongest FPOS and its leaders in the country. There was a gala award ceremony in which they were all awarded based on the contribution of the work in respective agrarian platform. This confluence of agrarian heroes from across the nation saw their efforts lauded, with the below brands taking top honours as decided by an eminent jury:

• Best FPO Leader - North Region - Samridhi Mahila Crop 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 FPO Friendly Private Sector Company - National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange

• 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 Krushak Mitra Agro Services

• Best Agritech Start-up – Dehaat

• Jury Special Award - Lamaten Tingmoo Organic Growers Cooperative Society

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