LUCKNOW: The Rs 722 crore Self-Reliant Farmer Integrated Development Scheme launched in the state will benefit more than 27 lakh farmers associated with the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) by increasing their income substantially in the next five years, the state government said on Thursday.
“The state government will spend the allocated funds to provide facilities and resources to farmers at every level, from farm to market. In the current financial year, the state government has earmarked Rs 100 crore for this scheme. Under this scheme, 2,725 FPOs will be formed benefiting 27.25 lakh shareholder farmers directly,” said a government spokesperson.
Officials of the agriculture department said the government has decided to set up at least one FPO in every block. Till now, 693 FPOs have been formed in 408 blocks out of total 824 blocks in the state.
The government aims to form 625 FPOs per year for the next five years, said officials.
Around 500 to 1,000 farmers are associated with each FPO, which gives bargaining power to small and marginal farmers while selling their produce.
The FPOs will help increase the income of farmers selling their produce directly to traders or companies as well as those doing contract farming. Through FPOs, farmers will be able to get the right price for their produce, the spokesperson said.
As part of the scheme, farmers associated with FPOs will get a subsidy of 4% on the loan of Rs 5 lakh.
