The Ministry of Agriculture constitutes a high-level committee to strengthen Farmer-Producer Organizations in Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi, January 28, 2026: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has constituted a high-level committee to review the functioning of Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu and recommend measures to strengthen their operations, expansion, and outreach across the state.

The decision follows the intervention of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who, during his recent visit to Erode, Tamil Nadu, interacted with farmers and stakeholders and took note of the operational, technical, and market-related challenges faced by FPOs.

The Minister emphasized the need for timely and effective solutions based on a comprehensive, on-the-ground assessment and directed the Ministry to take immediate action.

Acting promptly on these directions, the Ministry of Agriculture has approved the formation of the committee to study the performance of FPOs in Tamil Nadu and recommend corrective and strengthening measures.

The Ministry of Agriculture is hoping for a great scope through the formation of the committee:

The committee comprises representatives from NABARD, NAFED, SFAC—Tamil Nadu, ICAR—National Research Centre on Banana (NRCB), Farmer Agro Producer Organizations (FAPO), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

This diverse composition will ensure a holistic and ground-based assessment of FPO functioning.

The committee will examine key issues affecting FPOs, including institutional governance and management practices, business operations and long-term sustainability, technical assistance and extension linkages, aggregation, value addition, and marketing challenges, capacity building, handholding, and guidance requirements.

Ministry of Agriculture’s focus areas and crops:

The committee will recommend measures to strengthen FPO operation through improved business and operational models, enhanced technical and advisory support, better institutional integration and coordination, strengthened market linkages and promotional activities.

Special focus will be given to important crops and farming systems of Tamil Nadu, including banana, turmeric, coconut, tapioca, as well as natural and organic farming systems.

To ensure recommendations are rooted in ground realities, the committee will undertake field visits and consultations with FPOs, member farmers, market channels, processors, and other stakeholders.

It will also collect and compile information from central and state government departments, ICAR institutes, commodity boards, private sector agencies, and other relevant organizations.

 The committee will submit its final report to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare within two months.

The ICAR—National Research Centre on Banana (NRCB), Tiruchirapalli, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), will act as the host institution through ICAR—ATARI, Hyderabad, and provide necessary logistical and secretarial support for meetings, field visits, and report compilation.

The initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture reflects the farmer-centric vision of the Government of India, under the leadership of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and aims to build strong, self-reliant, and sustainable Farmer-Producer Organizations.

The effort is expected to enhance farmers’ incomes, promote value addition, and strengthen market integration in Tamil Nadu’s agriculture sector.

Also Read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan claimed Viksit Bharat—G Ram G’ law is s major step towards self-reliant villages.

EOM.