Anantapur: State government plans to strengthen FPOs by applying self-sustenance concept

Anantapur: The YSRCP government in the state is planning to strengthen Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) into a dynamic platform for marketing agriculture and horticulture produce.

The former TDP government had promised Rs 20 lakh working capital to each FPO and with the promise more than 300 FPOs were registered in the district. But there was no further progress in the matter. Only 10 FPOs have been functioning with great difficulty. Recently during his visit to the district, Agriculture Minister Kurasala Kanna Babu had a meeting with them and assured them to strengthen the FPOs.

Talking to 'The Hans India' Kanna Babu said that the concept of running an FPO is not with government funds. Each FPO will have a minimum of 500 farmers who will be shareholders of the company. The company should run with their share money and not on someone else's charity. The 500 farmers contribution will generate fund for running the company and for investing on their plans, he said. An FPO can undertake multiple services besides marketing the agriculture products of the member farmers. The company executive will negotiate with corporate malls for a tie-up so that marketing of the products is guaranteed. Besides they can also procure seeds, fertilisers and pesticides for supplying the same to farmers. They can also go beyond by opening cold storages, pack houses and warehouses using government subsidy. Every FPO should run as a business unit and not depending upon external financial support, Kannababu added.