Bihar-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have registered the state's first farmers' federation, BIHPRO, ushering in a new era for the agricultural landscape. This milestone has been supported by Samunnati, a leading agri-value chain enabler which has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BIHPRO for supporting its FPO partners through various assistance and financial benefits.
BIHPRO & Samunnati will initially focus on producing 7 major crops which includes Maize, Lichi, Wheat Paddy, Mango, Vegetables and Turmeric. BIHPRO Currently have 10 FPOs so far but through the regular events and workshops, it aims to onboard more FPOs and targets to achieve turnover of Rs 8 crore by end of this financial year. Samunnati is committed to providing financing, market linkage, technological inputs, and training to support this federation's growth and success. This federation aims to amplify the voices of farmers on state and national platforms, ensuring their concerns and needs are effectively addressed.
Pravesh Sharma, Director of Samunnati, highlighted the potential of Bihar's fertile land, stating, "With proper assistance and market opportunities, Bihar-based farmers can revolutionize the agriculture sector with their world-class farming products." He added, "Samunnati is on a mission to empower every farmer in the country, enabling them to earn well and pursue their agricultural occupation with dignity and fulfillment."
To amplify BIHPRO voice stronger, Samunnati hosted the inaugural FPOs Kick-Off Summit in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, bringing together representatives from around 50 FPCs across the state. The event provided a platform for farmers to interact, learn, and share experiences with various stakeholders, including institutional players and development agencies.
The primary purpose of this summit was to encourage farmers to register and become part of the BIHPRO consortium. Discussions at the event focused on operational plans and strategies to enhance primary revenue streams through input and output channels, in collaboration with the Samunnati team.
Previously, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Bihar operated in a fragmented way and were limited to block level. With the formation of the state-level federation, these FPOs now have a stronger collective voice and better access to larger markets and assistance from both national and international levels.
BIHPRO aims to serve as a platform for networking and forming partnerships with development agencies, institutional players, and input companies. Through various workshops and training sessions, BIHPRO will equip farmers and farming organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to enhance their farming practices and produce world-class agricultural products. With its recurring events, BIHPRO aims to engage key stakeholders and farmers in a revolutionary mission to energize Bihar's agricultural sector.
Collaboration with NABARD, SFAC, the Government of Bihar, and buyers/suppliers will align BIHPRO's activities with broader agricultural policies and market needs, securing financial and logistical support crucial for its success.
