Grant of more than Rs 14 Crore for FPOs

During the programme, Prime Minister Also released equity grant of more than Rs. 14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which will benefit more than 1.24 lakh farmers. Prime Minister interacted with FPOs during the event.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chief Ministers, LGs, Agriculture Ministers and farmers from several states were linked to the event.

Interacting with FPO from Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister inquired about the choice of organic farming by them and the ways of certification of the organic products. He also talked about the marketing of the organic products of the FPO. The FPO also told the Prime Minister how they arrange for organic fertilizers. The Prime Minister said that it has been the efforts of the government that natural and organic farming is widely promoted as it reduces the reliance on chemical fertilizer and improves the income of the farmers.

The FPO from Punjab informed the Prime Minister about the ways of disposing off the parali without burning.  They also talked about the super-seeder and help from government agencies. The Prime Minister wished that their experience of Parali management should be emulated everywhere.

FPO from Rajasthan talked about the honey production. They said that concept of FPO has been very useful for them with the help of NAFED.

FPO from Uttar Pradesh thanked the Prime Minister for creating FPOs as the foundation of the prosperity of the farmers. They talked about their process of helping the members with seeds, organic fertilizers, variety of horticulture products. They also talked about helping farmers with getting benefits of the government schemes. They are getting benefits of e-Nam facilities. They promised to fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling the farmers income. The Prime Minister said that the confidence of the country’s farmers is the key strength of the country.

FPO from Tamil Nadu informed that with NABARD support, they formed FPO to get better prices and the FPO is fully owned and operated completely by women.

They informed the Prime Minister that Sorghum is being produced due to the weather conditions of the area. The Prime Minister said Nari Shakti’s success is an indication of their indomitable willpower. He asked the farmers to take benefits of millet farming.

FPO from Gujarat talked about natural farming and how cow-based agriculture can reduce the expense and stress on soil. Tribal communities of the region are also benefitting from the concept.

Source: Krishi Jagran