Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora Inaugurates FPO Mela in Guwahati

Guwahati, March 17, 2025: In a significant effort to enhance the agricultural landscape of Assam, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Assam Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), has organized the Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Mela 2025 at Shilpgram, Panjabari. The three-day event, which began today, will run until March 19, providing a platform for local farmer groups to showcase and sell their products, while simultaneously strengthening their business capabilities.

The event was officially inaugurated by Atul Bora, Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture, etc., marking the start of an exciting three-day showcase of Assam’s agricultural potential. In his address, Minister Bora emphasized the significance of the Central Government’s “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Scheme,” a pivotal initiative designed to empower small and marginal farmers across India by promoting collective farming and improving their access to markets. He also highlighted the vast potential for Assam’s farmers through such collaborative efforts.

The mela features the participation of 43 FPOs from Assam, along with two FPOs from Meghalaya. These FPOs are showcasing a wide range of locally produced agricultural goods and engaging with customers and business partners, thereby facilitating the commercialization of their products.

This event is a key step toward strengthening Assam’s agricultural ecosystem, ensuring that FPOs are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in the modern marketplace.

The event was attended by several key officials, including Aruna Rajoria, Agriculture Production Commissioner; Bhaskar Pegu, Director of Agriculture; Tez Prashad Bhushal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture; Loken Das, Chief General Manager, NABARD; and Hari Boro, Consultant at SFAC. These dignitaries, along with other officials from the agriculture and allied departments, expressed their full support for the continued development of FPOs in the region.