Sector: Agriculture, Rural Economy & Cooperatives

Subject: Formation and Policy Strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• In line with the proposed Rajasthan FPO Policy and Budget 2025–26, the state plans to form 125 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• A key meeting regarding the Expression of Interest (EOI) process was held under the chairmanship of Rajan Vishal, Secretary of Agriculture and Horticulture Department, at Pant Krishi Bhawan, Jaipur.
• The aim is to onboard Cluster-Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) to facilitate the formation of these FPOs across Rajasthan.
• It was directed that the best practices from other states’ FPO policies be studied and incorporated into Rajasthan’s draft policy to make it more robust and farmer-centric.
• The draft of the new Rajasthan FPO Policy was presented by Laxman Prasad Sharma, Joint Director (FPO), and Secretary of Rajasthan State Agricultural Marketing Board.
• The state is ready to introduce its independent FPO policy, complementing the National FPO Policy of the Government of India.
• Key objectives of the state’s FPO policy include:
  • Development of basic infrastructure to strengthen FPOs.
  • Market and credit linkage support.
  • Provision of subsidies and financial aid through state schemes.
  • Enhancing integration and capacity of FPOs for long-term sustainability.
• Representatives from NABARD, NCDC, ITC, RLDP, Rajeevika, FORVC and senior officials from Agricultural Marketing and Horticulture Departments were present.

Detailed Explanation for RAS Mains:
What are FPOs?

• Farmer Producer Organizations are registered entities formed by a group of farmers to undertake collective farming, input procurement, processing, marketing, and access to finance.

• Need for FPO Policy in Rajasthan:
  • Enhance farmer incomes, reduce input costs, and increase market access.
  • Rajasthan’s agro-climatic diversity demands region-specific and crop-centric collective institutions like FPOs.
  • Central policy exists, but Rajasthan now plans its own tailor-made FPO framework.
• Role of CBBOs (Cluster-Based Business Organizations):
  • Act as facilitators in FPO formation.
  • Provide technical guidance, capacity-building, legal and market support.
  • Ensure the FPOs become viable and self-sustaining business entities.
• Policy Strengthening Measures Discussed:
  • Comparative study of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka’s FPO models.
  • Infrastructure development: storage, grading, primary processing units.
  • Facilitating linkages with e-NAM, agri-export zones, and credit institutions.
• Strategic Institutions Involved:
  • NABARD: Funding and handholding FPOs.
  • NCDC: Cooperative-based support.
  • Rajeevika: Women SHG-FPO integration.
  • ITC and FORVC: Private sector support and value-chain partnerships.
• Relevance to RAS Mains:
  • Use case for rural empowerment through institutional innovation.
  • Connects with GS Paper II (Governance & Public Policy), GS Paper III (Economy, Agriculture).
  • Helps in writing answers on Doubling Farmers' Income, Agri-marketing reforms, and Self-Reliance in Agriculture.

1. How many new FPOs is Rajasthan planning to form in the financial year 2025–26?

• 100
• 125
• 150
• 75

Answer: 125

2. What is the full form of CBBO, which is being onboarded to support FPO formation?

• Central Bureau of Business Operations
• Cluster-Based Business Organization
• Cooperative Business and Banking Office
• Commercial Bank Based Organization

Answer: Cluster-Based Business Organization

राजस्थान में 2025–26 में 125 नए एफपीओ गठन का लक्ष्य; सीबीबीओ के चयन हेतु 'एक्सप्रेशन ऑफ इंटरेस्ट' बैठक आयोजित

• प्रस्तावित राज्य एफपीओ नीति एवं वर्ष 2025–26 के बजट के अनुरूप राजस्थान में 125 नए किसान उत्पादक संगठन (FPO) बनाए जाएंगे।
• इस संदर्भ में क्लस्टर आधारित व्यापार संगठनों (CBBO) को एफपीओ गठन हेतु ऑनबोर्ड करने के लिए 'एक्सप्रेशन ऑफ इंटरेस्ट' बैठक का आयोजन श्री राजन विशाल, शासन सचिव कृषि एवं उद्यानिकी विभाग की अध्यक्षता में पंत कृषि भवन, जयपुर में हुआ।
• बैठक में निर्देश दिए गए कि अन्य राज्यों की एफपीओ नीतियों के प्रभावी बिंदुओं का अध्ययन कर उन्हें राजस्थान की नीति में समाहित किया जाए।
• राजस्थान राज्य कृषि विपणन बोर्ड के संयुक्त निदेशक श्री लक्ष्मण प्रसाद शर्मा द्वारा राज्य की प्रस्तावित एफपीओ नीति का प्रारूप प्रस्तुत किया गया।
• राज्य सरकार अब एफपीओ के लिए अपनी स्वतंत्र नीति लाने को तैयार है जो राष्ट्रीय एफपीओ नीति का पूरक होगी।
• नीति के प्रमुख उद्देश्य:
  • एफपीओ को सुदृढ़ करने हेतु आधारभूत संरचना का विकास।
  • बाजार एवं ऋण संपर्क उपलब्ध कराना।
  • राज्य योजनाओं के माध्यम से सब्सिडी एवं सहायता देना।
  • एफपीओ की संगठनात्मक मजबूती और दीर्घकालीन स्थिरता सुनिश्चित करना।
• बैठक में नाबार्ड, एनसीडीसी, आईटीसी, आरएलडीपी, राजीविका, एफओआरवीसी सहित कृषि विपणन विभाग व उद्यानिकी विभाग के अधिकारी उपस्थित रहे।

1. राजस्थान सरकार वर्ष 2025–26 में कितने नए एफपीओ गठित करने की योजना बना रही है?

• 100
• 125
• 150
• 75
  Answer: 125

2. एफपीओ गठन में सहयोग हेतु ऑनबोर्ड की जा रही CBBO का पूरा नाम क्या है?

• Central Bureau of Business Operations
• Cluster-Based Business Organization
• Cooperative Business and Banking Office
• Commercial Bank Based Organization
  Answer: Cluster-Based Business Organization