Strong Participation of Women Farmers
One of the most notable aspects of the scheme is the significant participation of women farmers. As of January 1, 2026, out of the total 56.32 lakh farmers registered under the scheme, 21.96 lakh are women, highlighting the growing role of women in organised agriculture and agribusiness.
The data further shows that 1,175 FPOs formed under the scheme are registered with 100 per cent women membership, marking a major step towards women-led rural entrepreneurship.
What Are Farmer Producer Organisations?
Farmer Producer Organisations are collectives of farmers who come together to improve their bargaining power, access better markets, reduce input costs, and enhance income through collective production, processing, and marketing.
The FPO model is particularly beneficial for small and marginal farmers, enabling them to operate at scale while retaining ownership and control over their enterprises.
Central Sector FPO Scheme: Objectives
The Central Sector Scheme of ‘Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs’ aims to promote economies of scale in agriculture, improve farmers’ access to technology, credit, and markets, and enhance their income through professional management of farmer collectives.
The scheme is being implemented with the support of various implementing agencies, including central and state government bodies, cooperatives, and other institutional partners.
Boost to Rural Economy and Agri-Entrepreneurship
The large-scale formation of FPOs is expected to contribute significantly to rural economic development by encouraging value addition, aggregation of produce, and better price realisation for farmers.
Women-led FPOs, in particular, are seen as catalysts for inclusive growth, enabling women farmers to participate more actively in decision-making, financial management, and entrepreneurship.
Government’s Focus on Inclusive Growth
The government has consistently emphasised the role of FPOs in doubling farmers’ income and building resilient agricultural value chains. The increasing participation of women aligns with broader national goals of women empowerment and inclusive development.
Officials have highlighted that the scheme also supports capacity building, governance training, and access to institutional finance for FPO members.
Parliamentary Disclosure
The information regarding the formation of 10,000 FPOs and women’s participation was shared in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, underlining the transparency of the programme’s progress.
A Step Towards Sustainable Agriculture
Experts believe that the successful formation of 10,000 FPOs represents a structural shift in Indian agriculture from fragmented individual farming to organised, market-oriented production systems.
With strong institutional support and growing women leadership, the FPO movement is expected to play a crucial role in building a more sustainable, inclusive, and income-secure future for India’s farming community.
