The first Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the district has come up in Koraon which will provide benefits to farmers and rural women manufacturing different products. The name given to this FPO is ‘Maa Vindhyavasini Prerna Udyog Group’.
As many as 3000 women of self-help groups (SHGs) of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) have been included in the FPO. Apart from selling products made by women farmers ranging from pickles, papads, vinegar to handicraft items like moonj grass products and woven baskets directly to big companies, in the beginning the FPO would sell products like different varieties of rice, wheat, and vegetables, said officials.
It would also include products produced through organic farming, added the official.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked to form FPOs in all the districts. Following this announcement , the first FPO has been formed in Prayagraj.
After the formation of the FPO, now the process of getting its GST (goods and service tax) number has been initiated. This would help women members of the SHG to sell the products directly to the companies. A charted accounted (CA) has also been roped in for this and thereafter, the products would be allowed to be sold, officials explained.
District mission manager, NRLM, Viraj Singh said, “The FPO has been formed under NRLM and name of the company too has been decided. Now we are waiting for the GST number after which the products can be sold by our SHG members”.
The main objective of the initiative is to end the practice and role of middlemen in the trade which would maximise the profits for the women members. Presently, the farmers take their goods to the market and get stuck between the wholesaler and the retailer. In such a situation, they do not get the real value of the produce which they are entitled to.
“After the new arrangement, these manufacturing units will remain in the role of wholesalers who will sell goods directly on such platforms with large markets. District administration will also aid them in this effort,” said Singh.
“This will put an end to the middleman system. The first company is being opened in Koraon. After this it will be opened in other 22 development blocks of Prayagraj,” he added.
