Minister Ramnath Thakur said that 6,374 CEOs appointed in 8,875 registered FPOs under the scheme as on 30 June 2024. He said, 19,68,868 shareholder farmers registered in FPOs formed and promoted under 10,000 FPOs scheme, as on 30 June 2024.
The government is implementing the central sector scheme (CSS) for the “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)” scheme to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ramnath Thakur said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Friday.
As on 30 June, 8,875 FPOs have been registered across the country, the minister said, providing the Rajya Sabha with a list detailing a state-wise number of FPOs registered. Uttar Pradesh leads the list, with 1,246 registered FPOs. Madhya Pradesh, with 622 FPOs has the second highest number of FPOs.
Under the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for the ‘Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)’, the total paid up capital to these FPOs is Rs.630.3 crores. A cumulative amount of ₹ 210.1 crore was released to eligible FPOs as matching equity grant under the aforesaid 10,000 FPOs scheme as on 30 June 2024, the minister said.
One District One Product
Minister Ramnath Thakur said that as per the clause 4.7 of operational guidelines, “While adopting cluster-based approach for produce or produce mix, formation of FPOs will also focus on “One District One Product” approach for development of product specialization, in case the focused agriculture produce has been declared for that district, whereby FPOs will be encouraged for promoting processing, branding, marketing and export of the product for better value realization.”
The minister added that “There may be more than one cluster for one product in one district and a cluster also may extend beyond a district. However, the FPOs will also have additional product and service mix; so that there are enough activities and engagements with the members throughout the year. Furthermore, FPOs can federate at district level, state level and national level for the product identified as per their requirement of processing, branding and marketing.”
The scheme provides supports for a credit guarantee fund, under which loans worth Rs.50.4 crores have been issued to these FPOs. Minister Ramnath Thakur said that 6,374 CEOs appointed in 8,875 registered FPOs under the scheme as on 30 June 2024. He said, 19,68,868 shareholder farmers registered in FPOs formed and promoted under 10,000 FPOs scheme, as on 30 June 2024.
