The three-day National Agriculture Fair to be held in Madhya Pradesh’s Raisen from April 11 to 13 is poised to place cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) at the centre of India’s evolving farm economy, offering farmers a comprehensive platform that integrates schemes, technologies and market access.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, while interacting virtually with sarpanches, described the event as a transformative “Krishi Mahakumbh” and urged village leaders to ensure participation from every household, including members of self-help groups and FPOs.
The fair is designed to function like a “living university” where farmers can move seamlessly from learning about improved seeds and fertilisers to understanding credit, insurance and market linkages. A major thrust of the event is on strengthening cooperative frameworks and FPO-led aggregation models, enabling small and marginal farmers to pool resources, access institutional finance and negotiate better prices in the market.
Direct engagement with apex cooperative bodies such as National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India will provide insights into procurement systems, value chains and assured marketing avenues.
FPOs will be showcased as engines of scale and efficiency, helping farmers transition from subsistence to market-oriented agriculture. Through live demonstrations and interactions, participants will learn how FPOs can facilitate aggregation, grading, storage and direct sales, reducing dependence on intermediaries.
Cooperative institutions and FPOs will also play a key role in linking farmers with national and international markets, as well as emerging sectors such as food processing and value-added products.
The fair will also feature on-the-spot crop insurance enrolment under PMFBY, backed by detailed guidance on premium sharing, claim processes and risk mitigation. Financial institutions will offer information on Kisan Credit Cards, term loans and schemes under the Agricultural Infrastructure Fund, encouraging investments in warehouses, cold chains and primary processing units, areas where cooperatives and FPOs can collectively build assets.
In addition, farmers will gain exposure to organic and natural farming practices, soil health management and the use of bio-fertilisers and micronutrients. Sessions on crop diversification, including horticulture, millets and value-added chains, will further highlight how collective action through cooperatives and FPOs can enhance resilience and profitability.
With thousands of farmers expected to attend, the Raisen fair is being positioned as a people-driven movement that blends policy, practice and participation. By placing cooperatives and FPOs at the core, the initiative aims to strengthen market linkages, improve incomes and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural future.