ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad Hosts National Workshop to Strengthen FPO Leadership, Kharif Planning and Market Linkages

7 April 2026, Hyderabad, Telangana

ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research is organizing a two-day workshop on “Kharif Planning and Marketing Linkages for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” from 7–8 April 2026, bringing together FPO leaders, subject matter experts, and institutional stakeholders. The initiative aims to enhance preparedness for the upcoming Kharif season, ensure timely supply of quality seeds to FPO members, and strengthen leadership capacities of Board of Directors (BoDs), particularly for FPOs from Karnataka.

In her inaugural address, Dr C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR, emphasized the importance of aligning Kharif crop planning with market demand. She highlighted the critical role of FPOs in collective aggregation, improving farmers’ bargaining power, and ensuring better price realization. She also stressed the need for scientific planning, adoption of improved millet varieties, and integration of value addition and processing activities to ensure sustainable income generation.

Mr Simon Pasala, Project Manager, ICICI Foundation, underscored the role of CSR initiatives in strengthening FPOs through infrastructure support, capacity building, and facilitation of market and financial linkages. He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve access to credit, enhance operational efficiency, and provide continuous handholding support to scale FPO enterprises.

The workshop features a series of technical sessions focused on key aspects of FPO development and Kharif preparedness. Discussions include institutional support mechanisms, convergence opportunities, and strategies to enable FPOs to access resources, build infrastructure, and expand operations. Sessions on millet value addition are equipping participants with knowledge on processing techniques and enterprise development, encouraging a shift towards business-oriented approaches beyond primary production.

Deliberations on governance are addressing the roles and responsibilities of BoDs, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, and strategic decision-making for long-term sustainability.

Dr K. C. Gummagolmath, Director (Monitoring & Evaluation), National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, highlighted the importance of effective governance frameworks.

A dedicated session on FPO progress review and Kharif action planning, enabled participants to assess current performance and develop location-specific strategies aligned with seasonal and market requirements.

The workshop is also providing a platform for FPO leaders to explore opportunities in processing, branding, and market access, thereby strengthening their capacity to function as efficient and self-reliant farmer collectives.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, Telangana)