NEW DELHI, 18 March 2026: The Government of India has achieved a major milestone under its flagship scheme for the formation and promotion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), with 10,000 FPOs registered across the country as of March 1, 2026.

The milestone comes under the Central Sector Scheme titled Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations, aimed at strengthening farmers’ collective bargaining power, improving market access, and enhancing incomes.

Strong Participation from Women Farmers

The initiative has seen significant inclusion of women farmers:

• 1,175 FPOs are registered as 100% women-led organisations

• 23.55 lakh women farmers are part of the scheme nationwide

This reflects a growing emphasis on women-led agricultural entrepreneurship and rural empowerment.

Government Statement

The update was shared by Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Strengthening India’s Agri Ecosystem

FPOs play a critical role in:

• Aggregating small and marginal farmers

• Improving access to inputs, credit, and technology

• Enabling better price realisation through collective marketing

• Promoting value addition and agri-business development

Driving Inclusive Rural Growth

The achievement of 10,000 FPOs marks a significant step toward:

• Enhancing farmer incomes

• Promoting inclusive growth in rural India

• Encouraging women’s participation in agriculture

With continued government support, FPOs are expected to become key drivers of sustainable and market-linked agricultural development in India.

Image credit: alittlefarm.co.in