Hyderabad played host to a defining moment for India’s agricultural future as over 1,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), industry leaders, policymakers, and agri stakeholders came together for the Samunnati and NABARD-supported 5th FPO Conclave. The gathering underscored a shared resolve: to transform smallholder farming into a globally competitive, value-driven enterprise.

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Minister of Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, set the tone with a clarion call for swadeshi, urging citizens to pledge support for Indian-made products. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmers, he stressed that collective action is the only way forward for smallholders. “Farming on small landholdings and adding value to produce is not something a farmer can achieve alone. Farmers must come together, form groups, and work collectively. When united, they can add value, ensure quality, build market access, and reach global standards. Progress demands joint effort—of farmers, organizations, government, and scientists working together,” he said.

The Conclave also drew attention to the broader policy framework shaping Indian agriculture. Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, urged stakeholders to move beyond the mere formation of FPOs. “If the FPO movement is to truly drive agricultural growth, we must go beyond formation alone. Farmers need affordable inputs, reliable advisory support, and assured markets. Strengthening the entire agri–value chain is the way forward,” he noted. Linking India’s ambitions to global discourse, he highlighted the United Nations’ call to transition from a production-centric mindset to a holistic food systems approach. For India, he said, that means enabling production planning to align farmers’ choices with land, resources, and markets—unlocking higher and more stable incomes.

From the private sector, Anil Kumar SG, Founder and CEO of Samunnati, emphasized the urgency of making Indian agriculture market-ready in a turbulent global environment. “Our shared purpose is to build resilience in Indian agriculture by making markets truly work for smallholder farmers—that’s what inspires and drives us. This decade is about making FPOs enterprise-ready, investable, and globally connected, moving from conversations to commitments and from partnerships to successful, impactful projects,” he said.

The 5th FPO Conclave has emerged as more than just an annual forum—it has become a crucible where grassroots voices intersect with policy and industry imperatives. With the government placing renewed emphasis on strengthening FPOs through institutional and financial backing, the Hyderabad edition signals that India’s farmer collectives are being positioned not just as beneficiaries, but as frontline solution-providers to global challenges in food, trade, and climate resilience.