‘Farmers’ bodies key to harness market potential said agricultural economist

JAIPUR: Fragmentation of land

holdings

and disorganization of small and marginal farmers create roadblocks for adoption of latest technology and use of high yielding varieties of inputs such as seeds and fertilizers, said agricultural economist V S Vyas, also a former member of Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.


Vyas said farmers are unable to realize good value from their marketable surplus produce as they are forced to sell their individually instead of collectively.

“Forming a producer organization can provide access to timely and adequate farmers

finance

, build capacity and provide linkages to markets. This approach will enable their effective participation in agri value chain as well,” he said at an event on ‘Agriculture Marketing and Collectivization – Role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), organized by Nabard.

R K Thanvi, chief general manager, Nabard, said “Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) registered under the Companies Act have emerged as the most appropriate institutional form for mobilizing farmers and for their capacity building which will leverage their collective strength for their economic betterment. A Farmer Producer Company entails the spirit of a cooperative society with professional management”.

In Rajasthan, Nabard has provided support for the formation and nurturing of 272 FPOs engaged in agriculture and allied activities. “We now plan to roll out a roadmap for promotion and upscaling of FPOs in the state during the current year to help them achieve commercial scale,” Thanvi.