GADWAL, 30 May 2025: An awareness seminar on Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was organized at the Aija Farmers’ Association Office under the aegis of the Aija Mandal Farmers' Association.
The event aimed to educate rural farmers about the benefits and functioning of FPOs in strengthening agriculture and increasing farmers' incomes.
Former BJP Jogulamba Gadwal District President S. Ramachandra Reddy and Aija Town BJP President Kampati Bhagat Reddy attended the program and addressed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion, Ramachandra Reddy emphasized that the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, had launched the PM-Kisan FPO Scheme in 2020 with the vision to double farmers’ income by organizing them into productive and self-sustaining groups.
He explained that the government is encouraging the formation of FPOs—collective organizations of farmers—to increase productivity and improve marketing access for agricultural and allied sector produce. The government offers financial support to these FPOs, empowering them to operate as independent business entities.
Ramachandra Reddy highlighted the various services provided by FPOs, including:
- Supplying agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals
- Renting out agricultural machinery like tillers, sprinkler sets, and harvesters
- Providing storage, transport, and logistics services for farm produce
He urged farmers to recognize the power of unity, noting that individual farmers face many challenges alone, but as a collective, they can overcome difficulties and achieve greater success. He encouraged the establishment of more FPOs, especially in rural and tribal areas, where farmers can register under the MACS (Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies) or as Farmer Producer Companies.
The seminar also noted that over 10,000 FPOs have already been established across India, with around 600 in Telangana and a similar number in Andhra Pradesh.
Incentives for FPO Members include free saplings of mango and sweet lime (up to 4 acres per member), which has motivated many farmers to join the movement. The Central Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) center also called upon farmers to take the initiative to form their own local FPOs.
Farmers were advised to visit the FPO office located behind the Guest House in Aija to register. Membership costs ₹1,100, with a refundable amount of ₹1,000 if a member later chooses to opt out.
The seminar saw enthusiastic participation from local farmers, including Aija FPO CEO Vineeth, Rangu Venkatesh, Lakshman Goud, Rangu Krishna, Kalyan, Narsimhulu, Advocate Venkatesh, Raghu, Bhimesh, Nagaraju, and many others from nearby villages.
The event served as a motivating and informative platform aimed at empowering the rural farming community to build a sustainable and cooperative future through Farmer Producer Organizations.
Image credit: csa-india.org
