In a major step toward empowering farmers and strengthening grassroots agribusiness institutions, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has constituted a high-level Committee to review and improve the functioning of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu. Announced by PIB Delhi on 28 January 2026, the decision follows the intervention of Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who took cognizance of the challenges faced by FPOs during his recent visit to Erode.
Minister’s Intervention Leads to Swift Action
During his interaction with farmers and stakeholders in Erode, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan was apprised of several operational, technical and market-related challenges affecting FPOs. Acting promptly, the Ministry approved the formation of a dedicated committee to undertake a comprehensive, field-oriented assessment and recommend practical solutions to enhance the scale, reach, and sustainability of FPOs in the state.
Broad-Based Committee for Holistic Review
The Committee has been designed to ensure a multi-stakeholder and ground-level perspective. Its members include representatives from:
-
NABARD
-
NAFED
-
SFAC – Tamil Nadu
-
ICAR – National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB)
-
FPO representatives
-
NGOs
-
Officials from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
This diverse composition is expected to enable a balanced review of governance, business performance, and farmer-centric outcomes.
Key Areas Under Review
The Committee will examine critical dimensions influencing the effectiveness of FPOs, including:
-
Institutional governance and management practices
-
Business operations and financial sustainability
-
Technical support and extension linkages
-
Aggregation, value addition and marketing challenges
-
Capacity-building and hand-holding needs
Based on its findings, the Committee will recommend measures such as improved operational models, stronger advisory mechanisms, enhanced institutional convergence, and better market linkages.
Special Focus on Tamil Nadu’s Key Crops
Recognizing the unique agricultural landscape of the state, the Committee will pay special attention to crops and systems vital to Tamil Nadu’s economy, including:
-
Banana
-
Turmeric
-
Coconut
-
Tapioca
-
Natural and organic farming systems
This crop-specific approach aims to ensure that recommendations are locally relevant and economically impactful.
Field Visits and Stakeholder Consultations
To ensure that its recommendations are grounded in reality, the Committee will:
-
Conduct field visits across Tamil Nadu
-
Hold consultations with FPOs, member farmers, processors, market players and other stakeholders
-
Compile inputs from Central and State Government departments, ICAR institutes, commodity boards, and private sector agencies
The Committee has been directed to submit its final report within two months to the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
ICAR–NRCB to Provide Institutional Support
The ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirappalli, along with KVKs through ICAR–ATARI, Hyderabad, will serve as the host institution, providing logistical and secretarial support for meetings, field visits, and report compilation.
Conclusion
The formation of this high-level Committee reflects the government’s strong commitment to building robust, self-reliant and sustainable FPOs. By addressing governance gaps, strengthening market integration, and promoting value addition, the initiative is expected to significantly enhance farmers’ income and agribusiness potential in Tamil Nadu. It reinforces the farmer-centric vision of Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and aligns with the broader national goal of creating a resilient and inclusive agricultural ecosystem.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
