Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the National FPO Conclave 2025 in Delhi on October 30, 2025, calling it a turning point in empowering farmers and strengthening the rural economy. The event brought together over 500 progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Implementing Agencies, and Cluster-Based Business Organisations from 24 states and 140 districts across India.
In his address, Chouhan urged farmers to move beyond traditional production and embrace entrepreneurship to capture greater value from their efforts. “Farmers should not remain only producers but become entrepreneurs through agriculture. Processing and value addition will increase their income,” he said, stressing that transforming farmers into agripreneurs is key to building a resilient agricultural sector.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering support to the farming community, Chouhan reaffirmed that agriculture remains central to India’s livelihood and food security. He said the government’s focus is on promoting integrated farming systems to help farmers diversify and boost income. “Relying solely on grains will not suffice; allied activities must be promoted,” he added.
Highlighting market challenges, the minister noted that farmers often do not get fair prices while consumers pay significantly more. “This gap must be reduced,” he said, announcing that the government will soon bring in a new Seed Act to ensure quality seeds for farmers. Chouhan added that strict action is being taken against fake seeds and pesticides and that the government plans to introduce tougher legislation to safeguard farmers’ interests.
At the event, held at the NCDC and NCUI premises in Hauz Khas, Chouhan felicitated outstanding FPOs, CBBOs, and implementing agencies for their excellence in business, digital innovation, and farmer engagement. A major highlight was the grand exhibition where 267 FPOs displayed cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and processed organic products. The minister visited 57 stalls, interacting directly with farmers and appreciating their innovative approaches to value addition and marketing.
The conclave also hosted technical sessions and panel discussions on topics such as oilseed production, water-use efficiency, natural farming, honey production, and digital marketing. Experts, industry leaders, and farmers participated in these sessions, sharing insights on how to strengthen FPOs and enhance rural entrepreneurship.
National FPO Conclave 2025 aimed to create new market linkages and promote collaboration among farmers, producers, and buyers.
