New Delhi: An MoU was signed today between CSC SPV (Common Services Centres Special Purpose Vehicle) and the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to convert 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) into CSCs. This initiative is part of the government’s ongoing effort to enhance citizen-centric services in rural areas.
The MoU was signed by Sanjay Rakesh, MD & CEO of CSC SPV, and Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, in the presence of Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Under the terms of the MoU, CSC SPV will facilitate the transformation of these FPOs, enabling them to provide a range of services available on the Digital Seva Portal. The agreement also includes provisions for training and capacity building to ensure FPOs can effectively deliver these services.
Launched in 2020, the Central Sector Scheme for the “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” aims to empower farmers by enhancing their bargaining power, leveraging economies of scale, reducing production costs, and increasing incomes through agricultural produce aggregation. Converting FPOs into CSCs will further extend these benefits, creating new employment opportunities in rural areas.
Speaking at the event, Sanjay Rakesh, MD-CEO of CSC SPV, expressed his enthusiasm: “It is a matter of immense pleasure that 10,000 FPOs will now function as Common Services Centres. With this initiative, more farmers associated with FPOs will be able to avail themselves of CSC services. This will enable FPOs to provide citizens with all the services available on the CSC Scheme’s Digital Seva Portal.”
This initiative marks a new chapter in rural development and digital empowerment across the country. It will significantly expand the range of agriculture-related services offered by CSCs, positioning FPOs as nodal centers for various services, including Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), the Interest Subsidy Scheme (ISS), the Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY), and the provision of fertilizers and seed inputs.
The event also saw the presence of other key officials, including Kapil Ashok Bendre, Director (Marketing) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Subodh Mishra, Vice President of CSC SPV, and Shri Devinder Rustagi, Consultant at CSC SPV.
The CSC network has consistently aimed to improve the lives of rural citizens through various initiatives, with a strong focus on supporting farmers and the agricultural sector. Utilizing their extensive presence in remote areas, CSCs currently offer a range of services to farmers, such as tele-consultations, crop insurance, e-veterinary services, Kisan Credit Cards, and PM Kisan schemes.
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