Introduction
India’s agriculture sector is dominated by small and marginal farmers (over 86%) who face persistent challenges such as fragmented landholdings, high input costs, limited credit access, and weak market linkages. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) offer a collective mechanism that enables farmers to achieve economies of scale, access better markets, and improve income.
SEEDS NGO, empanelled as a CBBO/PoPI under SFAC, NABARD, NCDC, and TNSFAC, has become one of the leading facilitators in FPO promotion and strengthening across South India. SEEDS currently supports 105 FPOs across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, and Karnataka, focusing on empowerment, market access, sustainable agriculture, and value chain development.
Key Highlights
| Indicator | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Total FPOs Promoted & Strengthened | 105 FPOs |
| Farmer Members | 61,821 |
| Women Members | 3,504 |
| States Covered | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, Puducherry, Karnataka |
| Total Produce Aggregated | 18,750 MT |
| Total Turnover | Rs. 28.5 Crores |
| Value-Added Turnover | Rs. 1.78 Crores |
| Loans Facilitated | Rs. 12.8 Crores |
| Trainings Conducted | 1,829 beneficiaries |
| Sustainable Farming Area | 5,000+ Acres |
Objectives of FPO Promotion
- To organize small farmers into collective business entities
- To improve access to affordable input and financial services
- To facilitate efficient aggregation, processing, and marketing
- To promote value addition and reduce post-harvest losses
- To build farmer leadership and governance capability
- To ensure sustainable, climate-resilient agricultural practices
Key Interventions
Capacity Building
- Governance training to CEOs and Board of Directors
- Business planning and Tally-based bookkeeping
- Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training
- Exposure visits to NIFTEM, KVKs, Seed companies, and food processing units
Business Development Support
- Support for seed, fertilizer, and pesticide input business
- Enabling large-scale commodity aggregation (cotton, millets, pulses, banana, onion)
- Linking FPOs with buyers, traders, textile mills, and processors
- Facilitating credit through NABKISAN Finance, NBFCs, and banks
Technical & Production Support
- Crop advisory by experts
- Demonstrations in cotton, millets, pulses, vegetables
- Support in processing, branding, and value addition
Institutional Strengthening
- ROC filing, statutory compliance support
- Policy guidance for FPO operations
- Internal control systems and governance strengthening
FPO Categorization & Coverage
| Category | No. of FPOs | Key Activities | Major Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crop-Based | 78 | Aggregation, Marketing, Value Addition | Groundnut, Maize, Paddy, Cotton, Banana, Onion, Pulses, Millets |
| Livestock-Based | 12 | Dairy, Goat Farming, Honey | Milk, Milk Products, Meat, Honey |
| Fisheries-Based | 5 | Inland Fish, Seaweed | Fish, Seaweed |
| Multi-Purpose | 8 | Inputs, Storage, Market Facilitation | Mixed Crops, Vegetables |
Activities and Interventions
Aggregation & Marketing
- 18,750 MT agricultural produce aggregated
- Business volume of Rs. 14.66 Crores
- Major commodities: Groundnut, Onion, Banana, Maize, Pulses, Millets, Coconut.
Value Addition Support
SEEDS supports FPOs in value-added enterprises:
- Turnover: Rs. 1.78 Crores
- Profit: Rs. 4.6 Lakhs
| Product | Output |
|---|---|
| Groundnut Oil | Cold-pressed & refined |
| Coconut Oil | Edible & cosmetic |
| Jackfruit | Chips, flour |
| Millets | Flour, ready mixes |
| Palm Jaggery | Blocks & powder |
| Processed Pulses | Dal, graded pulses |
Market Linkages
Market Linkages
Licensing Support
Machinery & Processing Infrastructure in FPOs
Summary
| License | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Seed License | Seed Business |
| Fertilizer & Pesticide License | Input Shop |
| Mandi License | Regulated Market Trading |
| APEDA | Export Linkage |
| FSSAI | Food Processing |
| MSME | Enterprise Registration |
| ONDC / e-NAM / GeM | Online Selling |
Detailed Description
Women-Led FPOs – Empowering Rural Women
- 3,504 women directly involved
- Women-led FPOs manage governance, mobilization, and value addition
- Production of: Organic fertilizers , Herbal mixtures, Millet snacks
- Improved leadership, income, and decision-making
Economic Impact of the FPO Project
| Impact Indicator | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Farmer Income Increase | 10–25% |
| Total Turnover | Rs. 28.5 Crores |
| Loans Facilitated | Rs. 11.55 Crores |
| Middlemen Dependency | Significantly Reduced |
| Youth Employment | Increased through processing units |
| Women Participation | 65%+ |
Challenges & SEEDS Mitigation
| Challenge | Solutions by SEEDS |
|---|---|
| Low capital | Bank loans, NABKISAN linkages |
| Weak business skills | Continuous training |
| Market competition | Buyer tie-ups, export channels |
| Lack of infrastructure | Support via AIF, SFAC |
| Limited digital use | Digital bookkeeping, apps |
Impact at a Glance
Future Roadmap
Conclusion
The SEEDS FPO Program has created a strong, scalable model that enhances farmer income, strengthens rural enterprises, and promotes sustainable agriculture. With 105 active FPOs, SEEDS continues to build resilient, profitable, and community-driven farmer institutions across India.