Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, emphasized that direct, structured alliances between Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and the hospitality sector are critical for mutual growth. Speaking at the FPO–Hospitality & Farmers’ Benefit Summit 2025, organized by the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), Dr. Chaturvedi urged hotels to forge long-term partnerships with FPOs to ensure consistent, high-quality supply of agricultural produce.
Win-win Model for Farmers and Hospitality
He outlined that direct FPO–hotel collaborations would create a win-win model for both stakeholders: increasing farmers’ income and enabling hotels to reliably source premium, chemical-free ingredients. India is home to about 40,000 FPOs, many of which offer organic and GI-tagged products aligning well with the hospitality industry’s rising demand for sustainable and safe food.
Addressing Market Imbalances and Raising Farmer Profitability
Dr. Chaturvedi addressed the persistent pricing imbalance faced by farmers, where inputs are bought at retail rates while output is sold at wholesale. He highlighted that direct procurement partnerships would reduce middlemen, provide stable supply chains, boost farmer earnings, and help the hospitality sector contribute more to GDP growth and employment. Government efforts include promoting organic farming and responsible tourism, with the Kumarakom Model of Kerala cited as a best practice example.
Industry Leaders and Technical Blueprint
The Summit was marked by consensus among industry leaders, government officials, and technical experts on the need for structured farm-to-hospitality supply chains. FHRAI’s President pledged hotels’ readiness to procure from FPOs, provided quality and consistency are assured. A curated exhibition showcased products from 50 FPOs representing 17 states, giving FPOs unprecedented visibility into the requirements of institutional buyers.
Conclusion
The Summit delivered India’s first multi-stakeholder blueprint to integrate farmers with the hospitality supply chain, reflecting a clear operational roadmap for sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships in the sector.
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Source: PIB
