Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the National FPO Conclave 2025 in New Delhi on Thursday, marking a major push for strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and turning Indian farmers into agri-entrepreneurs.
The conclave, organised jointly at the NCDC and NCUI campuses in Hauz Khas, brought together over 500 progressive farmers, FPOs, Implementing Agencies, and Cluster-Based Business Organisations (CBBOs) representing 24 states and 140 districts.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister lauded the farmers, FPO members, and participating institutions for their commitment to transforming the agricultural landscape. He said the time has come for farmers to evolve from producers to traders and entrepreneurs so that the full value of their work reaches them directly.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued focus on farmer welfare, Chouhan reaffirmed that agriculture remains the backbone of India’s livelihood and food security. “Our goal is to make farming more integrated. Relying solely on grains will not be enough; allied activities must be expanded to raise incomes,” he said, urging diversification towards dairy, fisheries, and horticulture.
The Minister voiced concern over the persistent price disparity between farmers and consumers, noting that while producers receive low returns, consumers often pay far more. “This gap must be reduced,” he asserted.
To ensure quality inputs for cultivators, Chouhan announced that the government will soon introduce a new Seed Act aimed at guaranteeing the supply of genuine, high-quality seeds. He added that the Centre is taking strict action against counterfeit seeds and pesticides, with plans to bring in tougher laws to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Calling upon farmers to embrace processing and value addition, Chouhan said, “Farmers should not remain only producers but become entrepreneurs through agriculture. Processing and branding will multiply their income.” He also appealed to FPOs to expand their membership base, boost annual turnover, and enhance transparency and quality standards to strengthen their credibility. The Minister encouraged FPOs to share ground-level suggestions with the Ministry of Agriculture, assuring that the government will respond with actionable policy measures.
During the inaugural ceremony, outstanding FPOs, CBBOs, and Implementing Agencies were felicitated for excellence in business, organization, and digital innovation. The event also hosted a vibrant exhibition of agricultural products where 267 FPOs displayed cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, organic items, and processed foods.
The Union Minister visited 57 stalls, interacted with farmers, and praised their innovations, particularly in natural farming, organic practices, and food processing. He urged them to adopt new technologies, digital platforms, and modern marketing methods to reach wider markets.
The conclave featured a series of technical sessions and panel discussions on vital topics such as oilseed production, water-use efficiency, natural farming, the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, honey production, AGMARK certification, digital marketing, and seed production. Experts, policymakers, and entrepreneurs shared insights on enhancing productivity, sustainability, and market linkages.
A dedicated interaction platform was also created for FPOs, farmers, and agribusiness buyers, facilitating partnerships and new market linkages.
The National FPO Conclave 2025 thus emerged as a vital step in the government’s mission to promote farmer entrepreneurship, value chain integration, and inclusive agricultural growth. It stood out as a landmark dialogue between policymakers and producers, bridging policy, innovation, and the grassroots energy of India’s farmers.
