MoU Signed to Convert 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations into CSCs

According to the MoU, the 10,000 FPOs will be converted into CSCs, which will be enabled to provide services available on the Digital Seva Portal.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between CSC SPV (Common Service Centers Special Purpose Vehicle) and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer's Welfare to transform 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) into CSCs. This initiative is part of the "Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs scheme," aimed at enhancing the delivery of citizen-centric services in rural areas.

According to the MoU, the 10,000 FPOs will be converted into CSCs, which will be enabled to provide services available on the Digital Seva Portal. CSC SPV will also conduct training and capacity building for the FPOs.

The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjay Rakesh, MD & CEO of CSC SPV, and Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, in the presence of Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

The Government of India launched the Central Sector Scheme for the "Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)" in 2020. This scheme aims to enhance farmers' bargaining power, leverage economies of scale, reduce production costs, and increase farmers' incomes by aggregating their agricultural produce. The conversion of FPOs into CSCs is expected to boost employment opportunities in rural areas.

Shri Sanjay Rakesh, MD-CEO of CSC SPV, stated, "It is a matter of immense pleasure that 10,000 FPOs will now function as Common Services Centres. With this initiative, more farmers associated with FPOs will be able to avail the benefits of CSC services. This will enable FPOs to provide citizens with all the services that are available on the CSC Scheme's Digital Seva Portal."

This initiative is anticipated to give a new dimension to rural development and digital empowerment in the country. It will significantly increase agriculture-related services provided by CSCs and help FPOs become nodal centers for various services, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS), Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY), and fertilizer and seed inputs.

During the program, prominent attendees included Shri Kapil Ashok Bendre, Director (Marketing) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Shri Subodh Mishra, Vice President of CSC SPV, and Shri Devinder Rustagi, Consultant at CSC SPV.