The hub features a first-of-its-kind database of Indian FPOs
Tata-Cornell Institute (TCI) for agriculture and nutrition has launched a hub for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) within its Centre of Excellence in New Delhi. The hub features a first-of-its-kind database of Indian FPOs. Created with grant funding from the Walmart Foundation, the hub will serve as a repository of learnings, information, and knowledge for the advancement of FPOs in India.
A critical part of the Hub is TCI’s Database for Indian FPOs, a new platform that brings together information on thousands of FPOs to facilitate research on small-farm aggregation models. TCI’s database is the only centralised source of data on Indian FPOs currently available. Through the interactive web-based dashboard, researchers can access a wealth of data on FPOs, such as crops produced, founding years, and sponsoring agencies. Ultimately, the data will allow researchers at the Hub to formulate models to boost smallholder farmer income and welfare.
TCI’s database is the only centralised source of data on Indian FPOs currently available. Through the interactive web-based dashboard, researchers can access a wealth of data on FPOs, such as crops produced, founding years, and sponsoring agencies.
Prabhu Pingali, Director of TCI and professor in the Charles H Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, with joint appointments in the Division of Nutritional Sciences and the Department of Global Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). “Through the FPO Hub, TCI aims to provide a foundation of data-based knowledge on top of which strong, effective FPOs can be built and sustained.”
“Bringing together data on the over 4,400 FPOs in India will facilitate research aimed at developing strong, effective FPO models,” Pingali said.
The newly launched FPO Hub is supported by a $1 million grant by the Walmart Foundation. Utilising an analytical, data-based approach, the Hub will aid in the understanding, development, and promotion of effective farm-aggregation models and serve as a dissemination platform through which stakeholders can access information, technical help, and guidance.
TCI hosted a virtual panel recently to address the barriers faced by smallholder farmers and FPOs, titled ’Farmer Producer Organizations, Small Farms and the Future of Food Systems in India.’ The event was attended by more than 130 researchers and representatives from the government, donor organizations, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Among the issues and topics discussed by the panelists were the need for increased awareness of FPOs and their benefits among smallholder farmers, as well as the need for government policies around FPOs to evolve along with the changing market and the characteristics of successful FPOs, like strong leadership. The importance of including women in FPOs was also a key area of discussion, with panelists agreeing that tailored programs and policies are needed to surmount the social and cultural constraints faced by women in agriculture.
