Hailing from Bhadohi (Sat Ravidas Nagar), Uttar Pradesh, Shaswat Pandey is the owner of the FPO "Trisagar Farmer Producer Company Limited". Operating for three years and involving nearby 357 farmers, the FPO has achieved a turnover of 2 crore and 80 lakh from exports in 2023. Its primary objective is to eliminate middlemen and enable farmers to directly export their products, thereby, helping them earn higher profits.
Moreover, Shaswat has been honored with the State Millionaire FPO of the Year by Krishi Jagran for his outstanding cultivation of vegetable crops, particularly chili production on his 101 hectares of land. Currently, he is working to establish the first-ever packhouse in Purvanchal, which will make the export of chillies via waterways possible. Read on. Edited excerpts from the interview below.
The Background Journey
Shaswat is a law graduate. He started his career by working at DLF, Chandigarh, first as a legal trainee and later as an assistant manager. Afterward, joined his family's carpet business, as a manufacturer and exporter for eight to nine years.
Overcoming Adversity
With the onset of COVID-19, his family-run venture faced a downturn. Shaswat said, “During this challenging time, I came across information about Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in newspapers and other platforms.” Next, drawing inspiration from resources provided by APEDA and Zila Krishi Karyalaya, he formalized the decision to establish an FPO, and named it "Trisagar Farmer Producer Company Limited".
Ensuring Quality
After getting his FPO registered with APEDA, Shaswat actively participated in buyer-seller meets, establishing contacts, and initiating business operations. Subsequently, he ventured into air shipments, although he encountered quality issues with his products during transit to Banaras and Lucknow. However, through his relentless efforts, he successfully resolved these issues. His FPO is also involved in establishing the very first packhouse in Purvanchal, that will make them eligible to export via waterways. Regular air shipments are currently being made to Banaras and Lucknow.
Support from Government
Throughout his journey, he received support from APEDA, Zila Krishi Karyalaya, and the local KVK, which provided information about varieties, field requirements, and other essential details. Recently, the Agriculture Marketing Board of Uttar Pradesh has also granted them transport subsidies.
Empowering Farmers
His message for farmers is not to view farming merely as a profession but as a business endeavor. He advises them to avoid dependency on middlemen, as it reduces their income. Instead, farmers should establish market linkages for themselves. Further, he encourages farmers to become exporters as well, so that they can sell their products at fair prices and earn a sustainable income.
