FPO mela from tomorrow

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In a bid to enhance farmer production and expand agricultural market potential, a Farm Producer Organisations (FPO) mela is set to be organised from Friday, February 28 at the University of Horticulture, GKVK, the State Government announced on Wednesday. Over 15,000 farmers, entrepreneurs and stakeholders are set to participate in the mela, by setting up stalls and exhibiting their products. Currently, around 1,472 FPOs have been established in the state,actively operating at different levels.

These FPOs play a crucial role in providing technical guidance, capacity building, quality inputs, value addition and direct market access to enhance farmers' economic stability. Around 400-500 FPO members, directors, will benefit from the event. Additionally, various seminars and panel discussions will be organized on key topics such as FPO vision and mission, opportunities and challenges, capacity building, legal compliance, and buyer-seller meets.

To support the training, advisory and financial needs of FPOs, key institutions such as the Centre of Excellence for Farmer Producer Organizations, Bengaluru, Watershed Development Department, Government of Karnataka and Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium, Government of India have come together in organising FPO mela, which will end on Sunday, March 2.

The inauguration ceremony will happen at the presence of Minister of Agriculture, N Chaluvarayaswamy, Minister of Revenue, Krishna Byregowda, Union Minister for MSMEs Shobha Karandlaje, and Yelahanka MLA S R Vishwanath are expected to be present.