FPC-to-FPC Trade Model Key to Real Farmer Income

Growth: Vijay Sharma
Nowshera, Rajouri (Jammu & Kashmir):
Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs/FPCs) are being widely promoted across India to strengthen rural economies and increase farmers’ income. While policies, financial schemes, and registrations are progressing rapidly, the real challenge lies in ensuring sustainable income growth at the grassroots level.
Vijay Sharma, Chairman of the Mechanized Farmer Producer Company Limited (MFPCL), Nowshera, stated that although FPCs receive support through registration, training programs, exposure visits, and exhibitions, structured market linkages and long-term trade integration remain weak. “Products are displayed in exhibitions, but after the event ends, the market challenge continues,” he said.
Sharing MFPCL’s practical experience, Sharma explained that the company directly connected with a tea-processing unit in Siliguri, reducing intermediaries and ensuring better quality control, fair pricing, and sustainable margins. This approach helped build customer trust and demonstrated that farmer empowerment begins with collaboration among FPCs.
He emphasized the need for a structured FPC-to-FPC trade network across states, leveraging India’s regional agricultural diversity. According to him, reducing middlemen dependency, promoting decentralized processing, and ensuring farmer-owned branding are essential for real income growth.
“The future of Indian agriculture lies in farmer-led trade integration, not just registrations and events, but measurable results on the ground,” Sharma concluded.