9th FPO Conclave & FPO AGRI Awards

9th FPO Conclave & FPO AGRI Awards, 17th January 2025 at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, Delhi

India has emerged as a global leader in agricultural exports, ranking among the top 10 farm export countries worldwide. According to data from the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Indian farm exports reached an impressive $53 billion in the financial year 2023-24. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the Indian Government's robust policies, particularly its support for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through various innovative schemes.

The FPO Conclave and Agri Awards, the flagship event of The Bengal Chamber, stands as a transformative platform dedicated to the empowerment of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and the advancement of agricultural innovation. This annual event is a cornerstone for fostering financial inclusion, leveraging technological advancements, and promoting market-oriented solutions to fortify FPO ecosystems and drive productivity. Alongside, the event honors excellence in the agriculture sector through the prestigious Agri Awards, recognizing the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations shaping the future of agriculture.

The 9th Edition of FPO Conclave & Agri Awards was held on 17th January at Viswa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi. The flagship programme, witnessed participation from over 100 FPOs across states such as Jammu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and others. These FPOs unanimously acknowledged the transformative impact of the government's FPO Mission on the agricultural landscape. Notably, many of these FPOs are led by women, underscoring the mission's role in empowering women farmers.

The programme was commenced with the formal Welcome Address by Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agri-Horti-Food Processing-Rural Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber.

Inaugural Session:
The inaugural session witnessed the presence of following dignitaries:
▪  Shri Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agri-Horti-Food Processing-Rural Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber.
▪  Shri Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
▪  Shri Ravi Shankar Sharma, Vice President- Agri, ONDC.
▪  Dr. Ranjeet Singh Rajpoot, Deputy Director, SFAC.
▪  Dr. Lavanya R Mundayur, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, AIC of India Limited.


During the inaugural of the conclave, Dr. Lavnya R Mundyar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) of India Limited, emphasized that the FPO movement has become a powerful tool for women's emancipation in the country. She highlighted the inherent risks in agriculture and allied sectors but also noted their resilience and sustainability. Dr. Mundyar credited government policies, including comprehensive crop insurance schemes provided through AIC, as key contributors to this success. She urged FPOs to fully leverage these schemes to mitigate risks and enhance productivity.

The inaugural was followed by three focus Technical Sessions:
Technical Session 1: From Plough to Profit: Unlocking Markets with Smart Interventions.
This session explored strategies to bridge the gap between production and market access, emphasizing innovative marketing approaches, value chain optimization, and the role of digital platforms in connecting FPOs to lucrative markets. The esteemed speakers were:
▪  Dr. Suresh Motwani, General Manager, Solidaridad.
▪  Ms. Anita Yadav. Associate Project Director, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact.
▪  Shri Saroj Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN.
▪  Ms. Pragati Gokhle, Founder, Market Mirchi.

Technical Session 2: From Soil to Silk Road: India's Role in Feeding the World
A forward-looking discussion on India's potential to emerge as a global agricultural powerhouse. The session addressed export opportunities, sustainable practices, and policies that position India as a leader in global food security. The eminent speakers of this session were:
▪  Shri Bipin Bihari, Chief of Staff, FDRVC, A joint initiative of Rural Development & Tata Trusts>
▪  Shri Himanshu Chauhan, Director, INDIAGRO Consortium Producer Company Limited.
▪  Ms. Aarti Pandey, DGM, Branch Manager, New Delhi Branch, ECGC Limited.


During Technical Session 2, Smt. Aarti Pandey, Deputy General Manager of Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), focused on the government's initiatives to support agricultural exporters. She detailed various schemes designed to cover exporters' losses, sharing examples of how these measures have enabled farmers to sustain their export businesses despite challenges.

Technical Session 3: Fertile Funds: Cultivating Capital for Agricultural Innovation
This session focused on unlocking financial resources for FPOs and agribusinesses. It delved into innovative financing models, government schemes, and the role of private investments in fostering agricultural growth. Distinguished speakers for the session were:
▪  Shri. Lalit Kharbanda, General Manager, Chief Marketing Officer, AIC of India Limited.
▪  Shri Rahul Dubey, Project Director-Innovations in Digital Finance, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact.


Agri Awards 2025
The event concluded with the Agri Awards 2025, celebrating excellence across the agricultural sector. A total of 34 FPOs from states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir were honored in 10 categories. These included Outstanding Contribution in Agriculture by Women FPOs, Excellence in AgriTech, Outstanding Agri Startups, and Innovative Agricultural Practices.

The Bengal Chamber remains committed to fostering innovation, resilience, and sustainability in Indian agriculture. The achievements highlighted during the conclave and awards ceremony serve as an inspiration for continued growth and transformation in the sector.

The Bengal Chamber Agri Award 2025 Winning FPOs with Mr. Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agri-Horti-Food Processing-Rural Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber in Delhi.

Mr. Subhodip Ghosh, Director General, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry addressing the inaugural function. Dignitaries on stage: Shri Jayanta Chakraborty, Chairperson, Agri-Horti-Food Processing-Rural Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber, Shri Ravi Shankar Sharma, Vice President, Agri, ONDC, Dr. Ranjeet Singh Rajpoot, Deputy Director, SFAC, Dr. Lavanya R Mundayur, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, AIC of India Limited.

During Technical Session 1, a BOD from Women led FPO was sharing her successstory. Dignitaries on stage : Dr. Suresh Motwani, General Manager, Solidaridad, Ms. Anita Yadav. Associate Project Director, Grameen Foundation for Social Impact, Shri Saroj Mahapatra, Executive Director, PRADAN, Ms. Pragati Gokhle, Founder, Market Mirchi.

FPO from Odisha was sharing experience and success story.

Conferring memento to an award winner.

Conferring memento to an award winner.

Product display by FPO at the exhibition stall.