Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs)

The implementation plan/strategy of creating an FPO is to create a community of farmers and provide support at every stage of the growing process, including inputs (fertilizers/pesticides), growing and harvesting the crops, and marketing the produce.

Isha interventions include training the farmers in marketing skills, increasing their productivity through training and technology, and finding new avenues for economic benefits.

• Subsidized agricultural shops provide farmers with pesticides, fertilizers, and other materials at reduced rates.
• Velliangiri Uzhavan provides farmers with laborers, free of cost, so that the farmer does not have to hire people for harvesting and other activities.
• The FPO organizes transport of the harvest for farmers to wholesalers and the market, thus reducing their expenses.
• Exposure visits and trainings are organized for farmers so that they are kept up to date in their know-how of technologies and how to take care of their crops
• The FPO keeps farmers informed of market rates and sets a standard price for their various crops. Thus, no one is cheated as the entire community is aware of the current rate.
• Farmers are also provided support in irrigation and implementing government schemes

Overall Benefits

• Farmers are able to harvest and selling their produce without any difficulties
• Compared to outside mediators, farmers receive more profit by selling through Velliangiri Uzhavan
• Farmers are able to avail all types of organic and inorganic fertilizers and pesticides at a low cost
• The FPO acts as a bridge between farmers and Government departments, so that farmers receive benefits like drip irrigation and crop insurance.
• The FPO helps farmers form liability groups and link them with nationalized banks, so that they are able to get loans at low interest rates.