Another feather added to farmers benefit, NABARD to promote 5000 FPOs in next 2 years

NewsBharati    13-Jul-2018
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Mumbai, July 13: Shaping the dream to double ‘annadata’s income and providing a better platform for the contribution to the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a decision that is to increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all kharif crops for 2018-19 seasons.

Along with increasing the MSP for the farmers, the government is paying special attention towards improving rural infrastructure. Addressing the foundation day event of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Union Minister Arun Jaitley stressed on the various initiatives undertaken to level up the grounds for the farmers. Referring to the ongoing trade war between superpowers the US, China, Jaitley said that the situation is causing an economic imbalance in the world.

 

Expressing his delight and the serious efforts undertaken by the cabinet, Union Minister Arun Jaitley pointed out that the apex development bank would achieve the milestone of promoting 5000 FPOs in the next couple of years. Speaking on the commemoration seminar on “Collectivization and Market Linkages: Farmer Producer Organizations”, Jaitley said that NABARD’s activities and its influence on Indian agriculture have been immense.

 

Interacting through video conferencing facility, Jaitley advised that there is a need to work for a federal structure involving both Central and State Governments for effective marketing of agricultural produce. The Minister said small and marginal farmers benefit from economies of scale when they come together as collectives.  
NABARD has supported around 4000 FPOs across the country at the end of FY’18 of which over 2000 are registered entities actively doing business in agricultural activities. As many as 507 FPOs are engaged in bulk input procurement and distribution while 223 FPOs are involved in aggregation and marketing of fruits and vegetables. Agro-processing, government procurement scheme, dairy, organic farming, seed production and marketing, fishery and other allied activities are also undertaken the FPOs.

 

The Minister said that a revolutionary transformation has been happening in the Indian rural sector, given the progress took in providing housing, electricity, sanitation and bank accounts to people in rural areas. He said that these initiatives will eventually result in a change in lifestyle and will enable those living in India’s villages to increase their income on their own. He also called for a change in mindset, wherein rural sector investment is given high priority in the future as well.

 

During the event, five FPOs were felicitated for their commendable work in the agriculture sector.