is aimed at strengthening farmers’ collective bargaining power, improving market access, and enhancing income through organised farming practices.
A significant highlight of the scheme is the strong participation of women farmers, reflecting the growing role of women in India’s agricultural economy. Out of the 10,000 registered FPOs, 1,175 FPOs are entirely women-led, having 100 percent female membership. This development marks a major step towards women’s empowerment, leadership, and entrepreneurship in the rural sector.
According to official data, a total of 56.32 lakh farmers have been registered under the scheme so far. Of these, 21.96 lakh are women farmers, accounting for nearly 39 percent of the total membership. This substantial representation underscores the scheme’s inclusive approach and its success in bringing women farmers into organised agribusiness frameworks.
The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The minister highlighted that the scheme has played a crucial role in mobilising small and marginal farmers, enabling them to access credit, modern technology, input supplies, value addition, and better marketing opportunities.
The FPO model is designed to aggregate farmers at the grassroots level and link them directly with markets, processors, exporters, and institutional buyers. Through collective procurement and marketing, FPOs help reduce input costs, minimise dependence on middlemen, and ensure better price realisation for farmers’ produce. In addition, the scheme provides handholding support, financial assistance, and capacity-building through implementing agencies.
The growing number of women-only FPOs is particularly noteworthy, as it contributes to improved household incomes, enhanced decision-making power for women, and greater financial inclusion in rural areas. It also aligns with the government’s broader vision of promoting gender equality and sustainable rural development.
Overall, the completion of 10,000 FPOs under the central sector scheme represents a landmark achievement in India’s agricultural reforms, laying a strong foundation for farmer-led, market-oriented, and inclusive growth in the years ahead.
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