UP Govt to Establish Farmer Producer Cell to Ensure Schemes Benefits Reach Farmers

Uttar Pradesh government has decided to form a Farmer Producer Cell to reinforce agricultural growth and ensure the seamless delivery of government benefits to farmers. This initiative aims to position Uttar Pradesh as a leading food basket of India by empowering Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) across the state.

The newly formed cell will act as a dedicated agency to expedite the online registration of active FPOs, linking them with online marketing platforms, and facilitating the necessary licensing and equity grants. This mission-mode campaign will run for three months to ensure swift and efficient implementation of these processes.

To accelerate the integration of FPOs with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM), the state’s Agriculture Department has been tasked with strengthening these organizations. Currently, 3,240 FPOs operate under the Aatmanirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojana and are registered on the Shakti portal.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has laid out a comprehensive action plan to enhance the capabilities of FPOs within the state. The plan includes promoting transparency in the agricultural market and streamlining processes for obtaining essential licenses such as those for fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and mandi operations. Additionally, it involves securing GST and FSSAI licenses and ensuring market linkage through the ONDC platform.

Farmer Producer Cell will play a crucial role in facilitating equity grants and various input licenses for seeds and fertilizers. To foster a collaborative environment, the cell will organize meetings between FPOs and government officials, preparing detailed progress reports to monitor and ensure transparency in the campaign's execution.

This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity, and transforming Uttar Pradesh into a prominent agrarian hub in India.