Aya Baikho FPO Cooperative Society Ltd. in Assam’s Goalpara district has expanded its activities by launching an Agri Input Retail Shop aimed at improving farmers’ access to essential agricultural inputs in remote areas of the state.
The retail outlet was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Robert H. Touthang, Regional Director, National Cooperative Development Corporation, Guwahati, along with officials from various line departments and representatives associated with the Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO).
The FPO has been promoted by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations.
The initiative is expected to strengthen agricultural support systems in the tribal and remote regions of Goalpara district by ensuring the timely availability of quality seeds, organic manure, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs at affordable prices.
Officials said the diversification into the agri-input business would reduce farmers’ dependence on distant markets and private suppliers, while helping them access reliable products closer to their villages. The move is also expected to encourage sustainable farming practices and allied agricultural activities in the region.
During the programme, an interactive session on “FPO Management and Promoting Sustainable Business” was organised for the Board of Directors, officials of the FPO, members of the Cluster-Based Business Organisation (CBBO), line department officials and farmer members. Discussions focused on improving governance, strengthening business planning, market linkages and ensuring long-term sustainability of farmer-led enterprises.
The participants also exchanged views on the role of FPOs in empowering small and marginal farmers through collective procurement, better marketing opportunities and access to institutional support. Emphasis was laid on promoting cooperative-based development models to improve rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity in underserved regions.
The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots agricultural institutions in the Northeast and support farmer collectives through infrastructure creation, capacity building and business diversification. Officials noted that such ventures can play an important role in improving rural incomes and creating self-reliant farming communities in remote areas of Assam.
