The membership programme will offer FPOs a host of financial and non-financial benefits.
Bengaluru, NFAPost: Samunnati, a specialised Agri Value Chain enabler, announced the launch of India’s first Open Agri Network, FPOnEXT, an exclusive network of entities that are working with the FPO eco-system via an affiliation programme, which offers unique benefits to the members.
The network aims to enable FPOs to expand business operations by providing access to financial solutions, market linkages, value-added services, technology interventions and other on-tap services.
The members of the network while being primarily FPOs and Federations of FPOs, Samunnati also endeavors to bring in other players like Resource Institutions, POPIs, Training & Capacity Building Institutions and other eco-system players who are committed to FPOs and Small Holder Farmers.
In line with Samunnati’s vision to enable agri value chains to operate at higher equilibriums and make markets work for smallholder farmers, the company aims to foster the FPO engagement to NEXT LEVEL through this network and hence titled FPOnEXT.
By availing of membership at zero cost, FPOs will receive several benefits such as pre-sanctioned loan, complimentary assessments and feedback from Samunnati through their grading and engagement tool, as well as access to crop, daily weather alerts, market prices, and a dedicated call centre.
There will also be a focused effort to bring in customised insurance products to the members of FPOnEXT. In addition to this, Samunnati will directly as well as in collaboration with other reputed institutions extend training sessions to FPOs on aspects related to Governance, Statutory Compliance and Business Management.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chand in the rank and status of Union Minister of State, said enabling FPOs in the Indian ecosystem has never been more important.
“There is an impending need for companies, startups, NGOs, local authorities, and the larger industry to come together to provide this segment with much-needed resources and capabilities. In the current scenario, a lot of handholding is required to help FPOs identify the right opportunities and adopt business plans which will help them capitalise on the same,” said Ramesh Chand.
While this is going to be a huge task, Ramesh Chand said he is confident that by bringing together various stakeholders, Samunnati will be able to deliver value to FPOs across India. “I also believe this model will help reduce the FPOs’ excessive dependence on the Government and create a self-sustained path of development,” said Ramesh Chand.
Sharing his views, Samunnati Agro Solutions Director Pravesh Sharma said as India ushers in Agri 4.0, it has become imperative for the industry to create mechanisms that can solve the challenges of FPOs and smallholder farmers across the value chain.
“We are excited to work with stakeholders across the industry in the coming months and look forward to helping the FPO community reap the benefits of this initiative,” said Pravesh Sharma.
On the launch, Samunnati Founder and CEO Anil Kumar SG said Samunnati has always been committed to focus on FPOs and their members.
“Building FPOs as viable and sustainable Institutions is an integral part of this endeavor. With the launch of FPOnEXT, we seek to deliver a bouquet of products to FPOs in a more structured manner, aligning to the goals and mission of growth of the agricultural ecosystem,” said Anil Kumar SG.
Samunnati has been working closely with FPOs, AEs and other agri stakeholders and creating an enabling ecosystem ever since its inception and has recently launched Agri-Elevate and Samaarambh in the year 2020. Agri Elevate being a first-of-its-kind ecosystem platform offering a unified platform across the agri value chain to connecting FPOs and Agri-Enterprises.
Thereby, helping them fulfill all their service needs and in turn, actively spearheading digital transformation in the agriculture industry. And Samaarambh, an Agri Startup Engagement Platform, aim at providing solutions to prime challenges faced by the startups, directly or indirectly benefitting the true stakeholder of the Agri ecosystem, the smallholder farmers.
The term ‘Samunnati’ means ‘collective growth, collective prosperity, collective elevation’. Started in 2014 as the only specialized Agri Value Chain enabler, the organization is steered by one vision ‘to make market work for the smallholder farmers by making the value chains operate at a higher equilibrium. The organization leverages on ‘social’ and ‘trade’ capital to offer customised financial solutions to stakeholders across the agri value chain.
Samunnati’s growth-oriented approach, known as AMLA [Aggregation, Market Linkages and Advisory services] empowers the agricultural community by helping them build better market linkages and using relevant technology and skills for growth. Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Samunnati has its presence in more than 100 agri value chains (including the pilot) spread over 21 states in India.
