Bihar farmers celebrate launch of state-level federation BIHPRO

New Delhi: Bihar’s agricultural landscape is set for a transformation with the launch of the state’s first farmers’ federation, BIHPRO. The federation, supported by Samunnati, a leading agri-value chain enabler, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide various forms of assistance and financial benefits to its Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) partners.

BIHPRO, initially focusing on seven major crops including maize, litchi, wheat, paddy, mango, vegetables, and turmeric, currently encompasses ten FPOs. The federation aims to onboard more FPOs through regular events and workshops, targeting a turnover of Rs 8 crore by the end of the financial year. Samunnati is committed to supporting BIHPRO’s growth through financing, market linkage, technological inputs, and training.

Pravesh Sharma, Director of Samunnati, emphasized, “With proper assistance and market opportunities, Bihar-based farmers can revolutionize the agriculture sector with their world-class farming products. Samunnati is on a mission to empower every farmer in the country, enabling them to earn well and pursue their agricultural occupation with dignity and fulfilment.”

The launch was marked by the inaugural FPOs Kick-Off Summit in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, organized by Samunnati. The summit brought together representatives from around 50 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) across the state, providing a platform for interaction, learning, and experience sharing with various stakeholders, including institutional players and development agencies.

The summit aimed to encourage farmers to register with BIHPRO and join the consortium. The meeting also involved discussions on operational plans and strategies to enhance primary revenue streams through input and output channels, in collaboration with the Samunnati team. Before the formation of BIHPRO, FPOs in Bihar operated in a fragmented manner, limited to block levels. The new state-level federation provides a stronger collective voice and better access to larger markets and assistance from national and international levels.

BIHPRO seeks to serve as a platform for networking and forming partnerships with development agencies, institutional players, and input companies. Through workshops and training sessions, BIHPRO will equip farmers and farming organizations with the skills and knowledge needed to enhance their farming practices and produce world-class agricultural products.

The federation aims to engage key stakeholders and farmers in a mission to energize Bihar’s agricultural sector. Collaborations with NABARD, SFAC, the Government of Bihar, and buyers/suppliers will align BIHPRO’s activities with broader agricultural policies and market needs, securing the financial and logistical support crucial for its success.