The Union Agriculture Ministry has launched a dedicated high-level committee to fortify Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) across Tamil Nadu. Announced on Wednesday, this step aims to scrutinize current functionalities, expand reach, and devise targeted interventions for better performance.

Prompted by Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Erode tour, where FPO challenges in operations, tech integration, and markets were laid bare, the ministry moved quickly. Stakeholder inputs from the visit directly shaped the committee’s mandate.

Diverse stakeholders anchor the committee: NABARD and NAFED for financial expertise, SFAF-Tamil Nadu for state insights, ICAR-NRCB for crop-specific knowledge, FPO voices, NGO perspectives, and ministry officials. Together, they’ll dissect governance structures, operational viability, extension services, aggregation logistics, value enhancement, marketing woes, and training gaps.

Beyond diagnosis, the group will advocate for innovative trade practices, superior tech support, seamless institutional synergies, and aggressive market promotion. Priority crops under the lens include banana, turmeric, coconut, tapioca, alongside natural and organic farming paradigms unique to the region.

With a tight two-month deadline, the committee reports to the Agriculture Department. ICAR-ATARI Hyderabad leads as host, partnering with NRCB Tiruchirapalli and KVK for fieldwork, deliberations, and documentation.

FPOs represent a cornerstone of India’s agricultural reforms, aggregating small farmers for collective bargaining power. This targeted intervention in Tamil Nadu could amplify their impact, driving economic viability and sectoral growth. As climate and market pressures mount, such proactive measures are essential for farmer resilience.