Agri Business Division

In pace with the recent trends in agri business development sector and new and upcoming challenges, faced by agripreneurs across the country, NAF has re oriented its approach and strategies to focus on Agri-business Development with the key focus on formation, nurturing and strengthening of the FPOs as a profitable and sustainable business model through the application of scientific management principles such as branding, marketing, setting up a supply chain, operations management, financial management, value addition, processing, market linkage, digitization etc.

NAF’s successful strategy increasingly focuses on equipping the FPOs with knowledge and skills; and considers these collectives as a strategic tool to achieve the government’s vision of doubling the farmers’ income. With a vision to convert agriculture into a profitable business venture for every farmer in a responsible and eco conscious manner, thereby contributing to ecosystem services for the farmers as well as the consumers.

NAF has been impaneled as a Resource Institution by Small Farmer Agri Business Consortium (SFAC), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India as well as NABARD for promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu and currently scaling up to Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. NAF has been promoting Farmers Producer Organizations with support from Small Farmer Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), Central & State Government, NABARD and World Bank.

Projects

FPOs under TN Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water bodies Restoration and Management (TNIAMWARM) Project

This World Bank assisted project has been implemented predominantly in river basin areas of Tamilnadu wherein modernization of irrigated agriculture, promotion of water saving technologies etc were focused. As a part of sustainability of IAMWARM project, the Government is focusing on community strengthening and business development through promotion of Commodity Groups and federating them as FPOs. NAF has been selected as Technical Support Agency (TSA) by TNIAMP for providing handholding support to FPOs (formation, training and capacity building of FPOs on Governance, statutory compliances, business promotion and supply chain management activities) for these FPOs. NAF has been awarded with 3 Phases of FPOs – TNIAMP Phase I, III & IV

Phase III & IV are the ongoing projects where it covers 13 FPOs in 9 districts and 16 FPOs in 10 districts respectively

Salient features / highlights of the project

NAF has facilitated in arranging the start-up grant amount of INR 10 Lakh to every FPO.

NAF has supported all the FPOs to arranges share certificates and distributed to all the shareholders in the FPOs.

NAF has facilitated Productive Investment grant for TNIAMP – Phase-IV – 14 FPOs upto INR 20 Lakh; which has been received by every FPO.

By the facilitation of NAF, 8 FPCLs have availed the Business Expansion Grant of INR 30 lakh per FPO through which the FPCLs will establish the Custom Hiring Center, Value added machinery and seed farms etc.

FPOs Under Tamilnadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project (TNIAMP – PHASE 3)

NAF has been providing handholding support to the FPOS under Phase 3 project. 195 governing bodies of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and farmer members have been trained on various aspects of business development, aggregation, marketing, governance etc. 13 CEOs have been trained on statutory compliances, good governance and business plan development.

All the 13 FPOs have initiated business activities such as Agro Input shop and aggregation of commodities like tomato, coconut, groundnut, black gram etc. Two FPOs have achieved a turnover of above INR 1 crore and 6 FPOs have achieved a turnover of above INR 40 lakhs

  • E-Nam: A Game-Changer in Tomato Trading

    In Tamil Nadu with the help of Agri Marketing and Agri business department Chinnaru FPCL in Dharmapuri District through their innovative approach has achieved an astounding turnover of INR 194.55 Lakhs, benefiting 220 local farmers in tomato supply chains.

FPOs Under Tamilnadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernization Project – Phase 4

On the successful completion of the TNIAMP Phase 1 FPCLs, NAF has been awarded 16 new FPOs in 9 sub-basins in 10 districts in Tamilnadu. NAF has entered into 2 new districts (Ramnad and Sivagangai)

FPOs Under Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project (TNRTP)

NAF has been selected as a Technical Support Agency (TSA) for a World Bank assisted project viz., Tamilnadu Rural Transformation Project (TNRTP) as Technical Support Agency for extending support to Producer Collectives that have been formed by Tamilnadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd (TNCDW), Ministry of Rural Development, GoTN. Under this project, both on-farm sector and off-farm sector enterprises promoted under SHG programs are being upgraded to FPOs. NAF has won the contract for Region II covering 5 districts including Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Coimbatore and Nilgiris.

Formation and Promotion of FPOs under Central sector scheme of promoting 10k FPOs supported by NABARD and SFAC

The Government of India has launched a new Central Sector Scheme titled "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Produce Organizations (FPOs)" with a clear strategy and committed resources to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs. Under this Central Sector Scheme with funding from Government of India, formation & Promotion of FPOs are to be done through the Implementing Agencies. Implementing Agencies will engage Cluster Based Business Organizations (CBBOs) to aggregate, register & provide professional handholding support to each FPO for a period of 5 years. CBBOs have been empanelled & engaged by Implementing Agencies. CBBOs will be the platform for an end-to-end knowledge for all issues related to FPO promotion.

National Agro Foundation has been assigned the role of CBBO and has been promoting 50 FPOs - 25 FPOs in Phase 1 and 25 FPOs in Phase 2 across four states viz., Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

Details of Phase 1 FPOs
FPOs in Tamil Nadu

2 FPCLs from Tamil Nadu Under CSS for “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” scheme have issued dividends to their shareholders from the business profit.

Thirukkameswarar Hitech Agro FPCL, Pondicherry – involved in the business activity namely retail marketing (Departmental store, Agro Input shop achieved turnover of INR 109.22 Lakhs. They have issued dividend to 525 members.

Kandamangalam FPCL, Villupuram District has been actively involved in the Agro Input shop and aggregation of Paddy. They have issued dividend for 300 members.

Tirukkameswarar Hitech Agro FPCL, Puducherry has participated in the Republic Day celebration at New Delhi, 10 Board of Directors participated along with their families.

The. Virudhai Cashew FPCL actively participated in the State Credit Seminar which was organized by NABARD,by setting up a stall to showcase its products and activities. The stall attracted esteemed visitors, including the Honorable Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru. Thangamtenarasu, who took a keen interest in the activities of the FPO. The finance minister, accompanied by the Finance Secretary and the Chief General Manager of NABARD, graciously visited the Virudhai Cashew FPCL stall.

Virudhai Cashew FPCL, Cuddalore District has participated in TARANG Mela where the FPCL showcased their value-added products and sold around INR 8,000 through this platform they got an ONDC order for 350kg of cashews.

FPOs in Uttar Pradesh

All the FPCs are involved in the Agri-input business and trading of agricultural commodities like potatoes, mango, vegetables, plant saplings, wheat and paddy.

FPCs have been successfully onboarded on the ONDC platform and UP Shakti Portal. Along with this, a Few FPCs have also signed the MoU with Cooperatives. Phase 1 FPC traded with ITC, FARM MART and on E-Nam. Ganga Varuna FPCL achieved the highest turnover of INR 71,20,865

FPOs in Andhra Pradesh

In Alluri Seetha Ramaraju district, 2 FPOs promoted with support from NABARD have been actively engaged in trading of Cashew nuts. NAF has given exposure to cashew value addition, branding and packaging. Now, the FPCL initiated its own branding “Y Ramavaram GIRIJAN” and entered the market with cashew value-added products and pure honey, these products have also been sold in ONDC (My Store) & Amazon, South Basket, Zomato in Delhi and other areas

Kalahasteeswara FPCL has started the value addition of groundnut and coconut oil. The products were displayed in FPO Mela New Delhi, and showcased its products and sold through Mystore a platform initiated through Govt. of India.

Y Ramavaram, Chittoor FPCL, Kalahasteeswara FPCL participated in the Agri EXPO conducted by Tamil Nadu- Dept. of Agri Business & Agri Marketing, at Chennai Trade Center, and was awarded as the best value-added and branding FPO

5 FPOs have been invited to the celebration of Independence Day at Red Fort by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India,

FPOs in Maharashtra Supported by NABARD

NABARD has sanctioned 2 FPOs to National Agro Foundation in Maharashtra under the CSS 10,000 FPO scheme in Beed district of Maharashtra.

Both the FPOs are involved in the Aggregation of commodities like Bengal gram, Soyabean, onion and have Agro Input shops for the benefit of its member farmers.

Ambajogai and Kambleshwar FPCL participated in the KCC Campaign.

Details of Phase 2 FPOs
FPOs in Tamil Nadu

Mannuyir FPCL in Tiruvannamalai DT opened a supermarket and involved in retail marketing, this is being the One stop shop for all farmers in the village community.

FPOs in Andhra Pradesh

Atreyapuram FPCL has initiated the promotion of organic cultivation of paddy and banana, they have also has started value addition of banana and Paper Sweet (Pootharekulu) with around 9 varieties.

Abhimanya FPCL have started value addition of Cashew like Cashew Nut Chikki, Palm Jaggery Cashew Nuts laddu, Honey Mixed Dry Fruits, Cashew Apple Syrup, with the brand of “Gangavaram Aadivasi” - Abhimanya FPCL has been awarded with 1st price in Aadi Mela out of 286 participants (FPOs & Entities) held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India.

Abhimanya FPCL has been empaneled by TRIFED, New Delhi for supply of value-added products to other Govt. agencies in India.

100 Honey Bee boxes have been distributed free of cost through KoruTen Ventures Pvt. Limited with a buy back policy to ensure that the farmers get a fair rice and market for their produce.

FPOs in Uttar Pradesh

6 FPCs have attained 750 shareholders, while two of the FPCs received the final tranche funds of INR 15,00,000 equity fund.

8 FPCs have started the business activity. FPCLs have been involved in the value addition of jaggery, vinegar, mustard oil, organic ghee etc.

Atraulia FPCL has been involved in milk collection, Custom Hiring Center and Agro Input shop and attained the highest turnover of INR 86,50,000

FPOs in Maharashtra Supported by NABARD

All FPOs participated in Tarang Mela providing them with an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and marketing opportunities for their products.

Fisheries FPOs by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)

NAF has been empanelled as a CBBO to promote fisheries-based FPOs under the Pradhan Mantri Matshya Sampada Yoajan in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana regions through National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under the Central Sector Component of PMMSY, we have been given 5 districts in AP & Telangana regions. The districts allotted by NCDC are Kurnool, Nandyal & Ananthapur in AP & Vikrabad & Hyderabad in Telangana regions

Taruni FFPO has started Pickles making and have started selling it to local buyers and have tied up with Lakshmi Vara Prasad Pickles, Hyderabad for supply of 50 Kgs of Prawn and Fish Pickles every 3 Months for one year.

Exposure visits were conducted for Taruni, Khushi and Nandyal FFPOs to Ramanathapuram-Zafira Sea Foods Industry, where FPO gained knowledge of value addition techniques, packaging strategies, and branding initiatives for fish products and pickles.

FPOs participated in Training on fish processing, packaging, bio fish culture technology, and fish feed manufacturing at TNAU-NABARD-MABIF

Formation of FFPOs under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

The government of India is focusing on the development of the Fisheries Sector through PMMSY under this scheme National Agro Foundation has been empaneled as a CBBO for the promotion of 50 Fisheries Cooperative Societies in Telangana State through SFAC

FPOs were being supported in training, enhancement of business activities by value addition technologies, Labelling, Packaging of fish products with support for 1.5 years for CBBO & FFPO

FPOs Under Rural Digital Empowerment Project – Supported by Nasscom Foundation

The project aims to foster economic empowerment and financial inclusion among rural women through the acquisition of relevant digital skills.

Simultaneously, the project extends its focus to Farmer Producer Organization’s (FPOs), providing participants with a comprehensive overview of FPOs, including their objectives, components, and characteristics. The initiative aims to deepen understanding regarding FPO formation, structure, and functions at various levels, emphasizing statutory compliances under the Company's Act.

Through this training programme, 1060 beneficiaries were trained, 60 members from SHGs and 1000 Board of Directors from the FPOs in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh participated and benefitted through these trainings.

Key Achievements for SHGs:

Digital Skills Empowerment

Enhanced Computer Literacy

Financial Management Proficiency

Using of Digital payments

Knowledge on the G-mail accounts and G-sheets

Key Achievements for FPOs:

Comprehensive FPO Understanding

FPO Formation Promotion

Statutory Compliance Familiarization

Financial Management Skill Enhancement

Awareness of Roles and Responsibilities

Knowledge on E-platform Trading and Credit Support

KANCHI Platform:

Under Digitization of FPOs project with support from BNY Mellon, NAF has initiated this with 5 SFAC FPOs namely Jarugumalai FPCL, High Hill Tea FPCL, Resahe FPCL, and Ponneri FPCL. All the farmers FDR data has been incorporated onto the online portal and FIS has been generated in KANCHI, in which Share Allotment has been done and Share Certificates have been generated and distributed. These 5 FPOs have started using the platform in FIS for 4400 Famers. Business transactions on input supply and produce aggregation are being recorded for 4 FPOs. Under TNIAMP project, 26000 shareholders details have been digitized using KANCHI platform.t

FPOs promoted Under Tamilnadu Small Farmer Agri Business Consortium (SFAC), GoI / GoTN (Phase I&II)

As part of agribusiness activities, NAF has been promoting Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) with support from the Small Farmer Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), GoI / GoTN and NABARD. Four FPOs were promoted with support from SFAC in the first phase in April 2015. The project was successfully completed by July 2018 for three FPOs and the remaining FPO was completed by March 2019.

FPOs promoted under NABARD

NAF has promoted 10 FPOs with support from NABARD between 2015 and 2018. Out of 10 FPOs, 8 FPOs are fully functional with varied business operations

FPOs promoted under Collective Farming Scheme of Government of Tamilnadu

TNSFAC allotted 9 new FPOs for second phase during 2019-20 of which all have been incorporated during lockdown and share amount collection process has been completed across all the FPOs. Out of 9 FPOs, 7 FPOs are fully functional with varied business operations like input centre, cattle feed business, selling of rice bag, oil trading, and grocery shop.

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