Sahyadri Farms to strengthen FPO eco system in Karnataka 

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Centre of Excellence for Farmer Producer Organisations (CoEFPO), Bengaluru, Sahyadri Farmers Producer Company Ltd. (SFPCL), and the Sahyadri Rural Development Foundation (SRDF). This collaboration, formalised at Sahyadri Farms in Nashik, aims to strengthen the ecosystem for more than 1,460 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Karnataka, focusing on training, capacity building, and value chain development.

The partnership is set to transform Karnataka’s agricultural landscape by empowering FPOs to address modern challenges, improve governance, and build robust and sustainable value chains. Sahyadri Farms, known for its pioneering work in scalable and integrated FPO models, will bring its expertise to help FPOs enhance their operational efficiency and adopt sustainable practices, the statement issued by Sahyadri Farms added.  

CoEFPO, established in 2017 as India’s first dedicated centre for FPO development, plays a critical role in capacity building, establishing market linkages, and improving competitiveness. Recognized in the Karnataka FPO Policy of 2018, the organisation is instrumental in driving the State’s agricultural development. Sahyadri Farms, as India’s largest FPO, has revolutionised farming practices with its integrated value chain model for crops such as grapes, mangoes, and bananas, ensuring higher returns for farmers while promoting sustainability.

The MoU outlines collaborative initiatives that include training programmes for FPO board members and CEOs to strengthen governance, knowledge-sharing efforts in sustainable farming and value chain management, and exposure visits to Sahyadri Farms for practical learning. It also emphasises integrated value chain development in horticultural commodities and institutional partnerships with government agencies to foster holistic growth.

Shamla Iqbal, Secretary, Department of Horticulture and Sericulture, Karnataka, said, “This MoU marks a new chapter for Karnataka’s FPOs. Learning from Sahyadri’s success will enable us to create sustainable and profitable enterprises, ensuring better livelihoods for our farmers.”

Vilas Shinde, Chairman and Managing Director, SFPCL, added: “We are excited to share our journey with Karnataka’s FPOs. Together, we aim to drive innovation and inclusivity in Indian agriculture.”

RK Mesta, Director, CoEFPO, said, “This collaboration will strengthen the FPO ecosystem by combining CoEFPO’s expertise in capacity building with Sahyadri’s excellence in value chain development.”