Bhubaneswar: The Odisha FPO Conclave 2024 achieved a noteworthy milestone in reshaping the FPO ecosystem in the region. This edition of the FPO Conclave resulted in the signing of 34 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with agribusiness companies. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment in Odisha has partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to enhance the FPOs’ ability to access lucrative markets, align with government schemes, and implement a digital governance system for evaluating the performance of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) in Odisha.
Organised by the Department of Horticulture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha in collaboration with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha FPO Conclave 2024 has been a platform with a diverse array of stakeholders, including policymakers, implementing agencies, CBBOs, banks and financial institutions, institutional buyers, agritech solution providers, academicians, industry experts, agribusiness market players and FPO representatives to deliberate on strategies to enhance market access, positioning Odisha as the hub of agribusiness opportunities through FPOs in eastern part of India. Palladium Consulting India was the technical and knowledge partner for the event.
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The conclave was envisaged as a state forum to engage in dialogue among ecosystem stakeholders to accelerate the business transformation of FPOs. More than 500 participants from FPOs across the state in 30 districts participated in the conclave.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment addressed the gathering and provided an overview of the agriculture and allied sector landscape in Odisha. He further highlighted, “We need for collective marketing and focus on value-addition for farmers in the state and the role of FPOs in achieving the same while emphasising the importance of private partnerships for the growth of FPOs.”
Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice Chancellor of OUAT highlighted, “The collaborative efforts between OUAT and the Department of Horticulture, particularly in bolstering support for FPOs through direct engagement of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the participation of agribusiness management students in research endeavours aimed at strengthening FPO ecosystems.”
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Officials from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), State Bank of India (SBI) were invited to the conclave and interacted with the FPOs during various technical sessions. Sector experts, leaders, and academicians from PRADAN, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Lawrencedale Agro Processing India (LEAF), Digital Green, Ninjakart, Sahaydri Farms, Access Development Services, ORIGIN, ISB, Dehaat, Debra Agribusiness FPCL, Farmology, Kalgudi Digital, Kisan Saathi, Mayurbhanj Grand, NEML, Samunnati Finance, Semina Agro, Skill Greens, Bank of Baroda, academicians from OUAT participated in the conclave.
The conclave provided a platform for attendees to forge new partnerships, exchange ideas, and explore collaboration opportunities. The breakthrough event facilitated knowledge exchange and market exploration and enabled ecosystem players to engage in dialogues with sector experts.
