ENA Sectors 2026-01-28 16:59:38 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Jan 28 (KNN)</strong> The Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare has formed a high-level Committee to review and strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The initiative follows the intervention of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who, during his recent visit to Erode, Tamil Nadu, identified operational, technical, and market-related challenges faced by FPOs and directed a comprehensive, field-oriented assessment to address these issues.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The Committee will assess key aspects of FPO functioning, including governance and management practices, business operations and sustainability, technical support and extension services, aggregation, value addition, marketing, and capacity-building requirements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">It will also recommend measures to improve operational models, strengthen technical and advisory support, enhance institutional convergence, and create robust market linkages. Special attention will be given to crops and systems of significance in Tamil Nadu, including banana, turmeric, coconut, tapioca, and natural and organic farming.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Comprising representatives from NABARD, NAFED, SFAC-Tamil Nadu, ICAR National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), FPO representatives, NGOs, and officials from the Department of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare, the Committee will undertake field visits and hold consultations with FPO members, farmers, market channels, processors, and other stakeholders.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Inputs will also be collected from central and state departments, ICAR institutes, commodity boards, private sector agencies, and other relevant organizations to ensure grounded recommendations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">ICAR NRCB, Tiruchirappalli, along with KVKs under ICAR ATARI, Hyderabad, will provide institutional, logistical, and secretarial support for the Committees meetings, field visits, and report compilation. The Committee is mandated to submit its final report within two months.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This initiative reflects the Government of Indias farmer-centric approach under Shivraj Singh Chouhan, focusing on building strong, self-reliant, and sustainable FPOs to enhance farmers income, promote value addition, and improve market integration in Tamil Nadus agriculture sector.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span><br /> </p> 44922 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/ministry-of-agriculture-forms-committee-to-strengthen-fpos-in-tamil-nadu 2026-01-28 16:59:38 knnindia.co.in