Samunnati launches open agri network for FPOs

BENGALURU, 23 June 2021: Samunnati, an agri value chain enabler has announced that it has launched India’s first Open Agri Network, FPOnEXT, an exclusive Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) network via an affiliation programme, which offers unique benefits to the members.

The network aims to enable FPOs to expand business operations by providing access to financial solutions, market linkages, value added services, technology interventions and other on-tap services.

The members of the network while being primarily FPOs and Federations of FPOs, Samunnati also endeavors to bring in other players like Resource Institutions, POPIs, Training & Capacity Building Institutions and other eco-system players who are committed to FPOs and small holder farmers.

By availing membership at zero cost, FPOs will receive several benefits such as pre-sanctioned loan, complementary assessment and feedback from Samunnati through their grading and engagement tool, as well as access to crop, daily weather alerts, market prices and a dedicated call centre.

In addition to this, Samunnati will directly as well as in collaboration with other reputed institutions extend training sessions to FPOs on aspects related to Governance, Statutory Compliance and Business Management. 

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Niti Aayog member Prof. Ramesh Chand said “Enabling FPOs in the Indian ecosystem has never been more important. There is an impending need for companies, startups, NGOs, local authorities, and the larger industry to come together to provide this segment with much needed resources and capabilities."

"In the current scenario, a lot of handholding is required to help FPOs identify the right opportunities and adopt business plans which will help them capitalise on the same. While this is going to be a huge task, I am confident that by bringing together various stakeholders, Samunnati will be able to deliver value to FPOs across India. I also believe this model will help reduce the FPOs' excessive dependence on the Government and create a self-sustained path of development,” Prof Chand added.

Sharing his views, Samunnati Agro Solutions director Pravesh Sharma said “As India ushers in Agri 4.0, it has become imperative for the industry to create mechanisms which can solve the challenges of FPOs and smallholder farmers across the value chain. We are excited to work with stakeholders across the industry in the coming months and look forward to helping the FPO community reap the benefits of this initiative.”

On the launch Samunnati Founder and CEO Anil Kumar SG said, “At Samunnati, we have always been committed to focus on FPOs and their members. Building FPOs as viable and sustainable Institutions is an integral part of this endeavor. With the launch of FPOnEXT, we seek to deliver a a bouquet of products to FPOs in a more structured manner, aligning to the goals and mission of growth of the agricultural ecosystem.”

Samunnati has been working closely with FPOs, AEs and other agri stakeholders and creating an enabling ecosystem ever since its inception and has recently launched Agri-Elevate and Samaarambh in the year 2020.