Haryana Launches FPO Mission 2026 to Boost Rural Economy

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Rewari, July 1 (APAC Media): Haryana on Tuesday rolled out the Haryana FPO Mission-2026, a new initiative aimed at empowering Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), enhancing farmers’ market access and increasing rural incomes through collective farming and agricultural entrepreneurship.

The mission was jointly launched by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during the concluding event of the month-long Khet Bachao Abhiyan at the College of Agriculture in Bawal, located in Rewari district.

Speaking on the occasion, Saini said Haryana currently has around 775 Farmer Producer Organisations engaged in agriculture, horticulture and dairy activities.

Under the Haryana FPO Mission-2026, these organisations will receive support to strengthen supply chains, promote value addition, expand processing facilities and improve marketing networks, helping farmers secure better prices for their produce.

He said the initiative would primarily benefit small and marginal farmers by encouraging collective farming practices and enhancing their bargaining power.

The Chief Minister also noted that the mission is expected to create new employment opportunities in rural areas while reinforcing the state’s agricultural value chain.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said achieving the vision of a developed India would require a strong agricultural sector supported by prosperous farmers.

He emphasised the importance of sustainable farming and urged cultivators to adopt balanced and scientific use of fertilisers, cautioning that excessive use of urea and DAP was adversely affecting soil fertility and the environment.

The Union Minister also praised Haryana’s farmer-focused policies, highlighting initiatives such as Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement for 24 crops, the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, Meri Fasal-Mera Byora and Mera Pani-Meri Virasat. He observed that despite accounting for only 1.3 per cent of the country’s geographical area, Haryana continues to make a significant contribution to India’s food security.

During the event, the two leaders inaugurated an agricultural exhibition showcasing modern farming technologies and felicitated six progressive farmers from Rewari, Mahendragarh district and Jhajjar district for their achievements in natural farming, horticulture, beekeeping and millet cultivation.