Lucknow, Feb 12 : The Uttar Pradesh government has partnered with Honda India Foundation to support Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) through a newly signed Memorandum of Cooperation. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Surya Pratap Shahi, Uttar Pradesh’s Minister of Agriculture, and Honda India Foundation Trustees Vinay Dhingra and Katsuyuki Ozawa.
The partnership aims to enhance the capacity and efficiency of FPOs in Gorakhpur and Rewaria as part of a pilot project. Speaking about the initiative, Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi stated, “Honda Foundation will provide training, business education, and marketing analysis strategies to farmers, improving their market linkages and boosting productivity.”
He emphasized the importance of empowering FPOs with technical knowledge, effective management, and good governance. Shahi also highlighted that over 3,800 FPOs have been established in Uttar Pradesh as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to create 10,000 FPOs across India within five years. The pilot projects in Gorakhpur and Rewaria will serve as a model, potentially expanding to other districts if successful.
The initiative also focuses on introducing advanced technology in economically backward regions of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. Shahi noted, “Our aim is to boost productivity, provide training, and reduce financial disparities, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India).”
Vinay Dhingra, Trustee of Honda India Foundation, announced that the pilot project would commence in the next financial year, with an initial focus on improving productivity, quality, governance, and market access for farmers in the two districts. He added, “Based on the success of these pilots, the initiative will be scaled up across Uttar Pradesh.”
Amit Vatyayan,EY Social and Skills Sector Partner and Leader, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “We have been working with the UP government on FPO initiatives, including the FPO Shakti Portal, and also collaborating with Honda on CSR projects. The launch of the Annadata Project with the UP government will strengthen governance capacity, business acumen, and market stability for FPOs.”
This strategic partnership reflects Honda India Foundation’s commitment to supporting Indian farmers and aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
